Identification of 2 new allergens of Phoenix dactylifera using an immunoproteomics approach

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) has a wide geographical distribution (Middle East, Mediterranean, central Africa, western Asia, Australia, and North America). Pho d 2, the major allergen of date palm pollen was recently identified as a profilin, yet little is known about the nature of the other pollen allergens from this tree. The objective of this study was to characterize clinically significant allergens other than profilins from P. dactylifera pollen using immunoproteomics. In order to reveal the proteins causing the allergy, we used serum from a patient monosensitized to date palm pollen extract who experienced asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis during the palm tree pollen season. The results revealed 2 novel immunoglobulin E-binding proteins not related to the cross-reactive allergen profilin. Individualized allergens of Pdactylifera that cause specific date palm pollen sensitization must be defined to determine the real prevalence of sensitization to this species.