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Mountain cedar allergens found in nonpollen tree parts
D W Goetz1, M A Goetz, B A Whisman
1Allergy-Immunology Department, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, Texas, USA.
Summary
Mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei) pollen is a major allergen. This study found no allergens in mountain cedar smoke or leaves, and minimal amounts in berries, refuting folk medicine claims.
Area of Science:
- Allergen identification
- Immunology
- Environmental health
Background:
- Mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei) pollen is a primary aeroallergen in Texas from December to February.
- The main allergen in mountain cedar pollen is a 40-kD glycoprotein (gp40).
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify allergens in mountain cedar wood, leaves, and berries.
- To determine if smoke from burning mountain cedar trees contains allergens.
Main Methods:
- Utilized SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting with human IgE and monoclonal antibodies.
- Analyzed extracts from pollen, wood, leaves, and berries of mountain cedar trees.
- Tested smoke from burning male and female mountain cedar trees for allergens.
Main Results:
- Identified allergens in wood (36 kD) and berries (36, 26-27, 21 kD), distinct from pollen allergens.
- A shared epitope was found on pollen, wood, and berry allergens.
- No mountain cedar allergens were detected in leaves or in smoke from burning trees.
- Allergen concentration was significantly lower in wood and berries compared to pollen.
Conclusions:
- Mountain cedar berry allergen levels are too low to support their use in folk medicine for pollinosis.
- Smoke from burning mountain cedar trees does not contain allergens responsible for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, though it may be irritating.