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[Analysis of birch pollen allergen]
M Taneichi1, M Uehara, M Katagiri
1Second Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical College, Japan.
[Hokkaido Igaku Zasshi] the Hokkaido Journal of Medical Science
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Japanese birch pollen contains allergens that trigger nasal allergies. Specific peptide fragments (22-33 and 56-66) of the Bet vI protein, particularly with an isoleucine substitution at position 31, are identified as key allergenic sites.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Allergology
Context:
- Birch pollen allergy (pollinosis) is prevalent in Hokkaido, Japan.
- Previous research linked pollinosis to HLA-DR9 antigens.
- Bet vI is identified as the major birch pollen allergen in Europe.
Purpose:
- To pinpoint allergenic regions within the 17kDa protein of Japanese birch pollen (Betula Platyphylla var. Japonica).
- To investigate the lymphocyte proliferative response (LPR) to digested fragments of the Japanese birch pollen 17kDa protein.
Summary:
- Lymphocyte proliferation was strongest against peptide fragments 22-33 and 56-66 of the Bet vI molecule.
- The Japanese birch pollen 17kDa protein exhibits an isoleucine substitution for phenylalanine at position 31.
- Synthetic peptides revealed asparagine at position 29 (fragment 22-33) and glutamic acid at position 61 (fragment 56-66) are critical for LPR.
Impact:
- Identifies specific allergenic epitopes on Japanese birch pollen Bet vI.
- Provides insights into the molecular basis of birch pollen allergy in Japan.
- Facilitates the development of targeted diagnostics and potentially immunotherapy for birch pollen allergy.