Antigenic relationship between four airborne palm pollen grains from Calcutta, India

The pollen grains of Areca catechu, Borassus flabellifer, Cocos nucifera and Phoenix sylvestris, all belonging to the family Aracaceae (Palmae), are airborne and found to be potent in causing human respiratory allergy. The present study was undertaken to discover the antigenic relationship, if any, in the four relevant palm pollen grains. The study was conducted by using Borassus and Phoenix antisera raised in rabbit. These antisera were used in rabbit IgG specific ELISA-inhibition and rocket immunoelectro-phoresis (RIE) assays for all four palm pollen extracts. In ELISA-inhibition, a distinct inhibition was obtained with comparable amount of soluble pollen protein. The RIE precipitin bands also revealed the presence of common antigenic components in the palm pollen. After isolation and purification, such common antigens may be useful in allergen immunotherapy in asthmatics.