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Published on: September 28, 2021
Comparison of Psilocybe cubensis spore and mycelium allergens
A Helbling1, W E Horner, S B Lehrer
1Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
Background:
Basidiospores are an important cause of respiratory allergy in mold-sensitive atopic subjects. Collection of the large amounts of spores required for extract preparation is tedious and difficult. A desirable alternative could be mycelium grown in vitro if it is allergenically similar to spores.
Methods:
Therefore this study compared the allergen contents of Psilocybe cubensis spore and mycelium extracts by different techniques with the use of pooled sera from subjects who had skin test and RAST results that were positive to P. cubensis spores.
Results:
Isoelectric focusing immunoprints revealed six common IgE-binding bands at isoelectric points 4.7, 5.0, 5.5, 5.6, 8.7, and 9.3. Two additional bands at isoelectric points 3.9 and 5.7 were detected only in the spore extract. Sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblots exhibited six common IgE-binding bands at 16, 35, 487, 52, 62, and 76 kd; 20 and 40 kd bands were present only in the spore extract. Although RAST and isoelectric focusing inhibition demonstrated that P. cubensis spore and mycelium extracts share many allergens, spores were allergenically more potent than mycelium.
Conclusion:
The results indicate that mycelium is a useful source of P. cubensis allergen, even though several spore allergens were not detected in mycelium.
Insights
Psilocybe cubensis mycelium is a useful source for allergen extracts, though less potent than spores. This research compares allergen profiles of mushroom spores and mycelium for allergy extract development.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Allergology
- Immunology
Background:
- Basidiospores cause respiratory allergies in mold-sensitive individuals.
- Collecting sufficient spores for allergy extracts is challenging.
- In vitro-grown mycelium could be an alternative if allergenically similar to spores.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the allergen content of Psilocybe cubensis spore and mycelium extracts.
- To determine if mycelium is a viable alternative for allergen extract production.
Main Methods:
- Compares allergen profiles of P. cubensis spore and mycelium extracts.
- Utilizes pooled sera from subjects with confirmed P. cubensis spore allergies.
- Employs isoelectric focusing (IEF) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) immunoblots.
- Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) inhibition assays were performed.
Main Results:
- Six common IgE-binding bands were identified in both spore and mycelium extracts via IEF and SDS-PAGE.
- Spore extracts contained unique allergens not found in mycelium.
- RAST inhibition and IEF confirmed shared allergens but indicated spores are more potent.
Conclusions:
- Psilocybe cubensis mycelium is a valuable source for allergen extracts.
- Mycelium contains many, but not all, of the allergens found in spores.
- While useful, mycelium extracts are less potent than spore extracts.
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