Clinical and immunologic evaluation of Cedrus deodara pollen: A new allergen from India

A. Rawat, A. Singh, A. B. Singh, S. N. Gaur, L. Kumar, I. Roy, P. Ravindrun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Allergy to pollen from gymnosperms is well documented in the West. However, many allergenic species are native to the Himalayan region of India, and Cedrus deodara (Pinaceae) was selected for allergologic investigation. The objective was to define the allergologic and immunochemical aspects of C. deodara pollen. Methods: Pollen antigen from C. deodara (CD) was prepared and characterized by biochemical and biologic assays. Specific IgE binding was determined by means of ELISA and immunoblotting. Results: CD pollen antigen caused marked skin sensitivity in 7.5% of an atopic population. A significantly elevated level of CD-specific IgE antibodies was observed in 65.8% of the skin-positive patients. Immunoblotting showed protein fractions of 37, 44, 58, and 78 kDa with 100% binding with the patients' sera suspected to be due to carbohydrate moieties. Conclusions: Patients from the Himalayan region, where CD occurs naturally, were sensitized more than patients from distant places. The immunochemical characterization revealed multiple protein fractions from low to very high molecular mass (14-126 kDa) mostly in the acidic pI range. CD pollen has been recognized as a new allergen from India for the first time.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)620-626
Number of pages7
JournalAllergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume55
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Allergen characterization
  • Cedrus deodara
  • Himalayan tree
  • Sensitization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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