Bell Peppers (Capsicum annuum) Express Allergens (Profilin, Pathogenesis-Related Protein P23 and Bet v 1) Depending on the Horticultural Strain

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the role of bell peppers in food allergy. We collected sera from 11 patients with food allergy to bell peppers to analyze bell pepper extracts for allergen composition. Methods: Proteins of mature fruits of eight horticultural strains of bell peppers were extracted and tested with patients’ sera for IgE binding and with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies in immunoblot. Results: Profilin was detected in bell pepper extracts by an anti-celery profilin antibody. It showed high IgE binding activity in all extracts, which could be inhibited by recombinant birch pollen profilin. Anti-birch pollen monoclonal antibody BIP3, directed against birch pollen proteins between 30 and 69 kD, bound to bell pepper antigens of comparable molecular weights. A homologue of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 was detected in four of eight horticultural strains of bell peppers, and was shown to bind IgE in 1 of the 11 patients. A 23-kD allergen of bell peppers was shown to correspond to the 23-kD major paprika allergen by IgE absorption experiments. Its N-terminal sequence showed 100% identity to P23 from tomatoes. Conclusion: The appearance of profilin in all and Bet v 1 in 50% of the tested horticultural strains indicates that bell peppers have to be considered potentially dangerous for Bet v 1- and profilin-sensitized patients. Moreover, in 4 of 8 horticultural strains of bell peppers a homologue of the osmotin-like protein P23 from tomatoes is responsible for substantial IgE binding. Contact with Bet v 1 and P23 homologues in bell peppers can therefore be minimized by avoidance of the respective horticultural strains.

Maternal diet during pregnancy in relation to eczema and allergic sensitization in the offspring at 2 y of age

“…An association between celery, citrus fruit, or raw sweet pepper intake and allergic sensitization has not yet been described in the literature. Because potential allergens in celery (20), citrus fruit-in particular oranges (21,22)-and bell peppers (23) have been characterized, the observed associations might be linked to the allergenicity of these foods. However, the high antioxidant content of these foods should also be considered, although it seems unlikely that they play a causal role.…”

Hev b 8, the <i>Hevea brasiliensis</i> Latex Profilin, Is a Cross-Reactive Allergen of Latex, Plant Foods and Pollen

“…It has been shown that profilins are involved in different clinical cross-reactivity syndromes, such as the celery-mugwort-spice syndrome [14]. Furthermore, IgE of pollen-allergic individuals cross-reacts with profilins from apple [15], bell pepper [16], celery [17], lychee [18], peanut [19], pumpkin seed [20], soybean [21]and tomato [22]. This widespread IgE cross-reactivity towards a broad range of profilins from distantly related plants has led to the designation of profilins as pan-allergens.…”

Isolation and characterization of native Cry j 3 from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen

“…Mal d 2 from apple (Malus domestica) was the first allergen described as a TLP (28). Following the identification of Mal d 2, several fruit allergens, including Pru av 2 from cherry (Prunus avium), Act c 2 and Act d 2 from kiwi (Actinidia chinensis and A. deliciosa, respectively), Cap a 1 from bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) and thaumatin from grape (Vitis vinifera), were reported as allergens belonging to the PR5 family (19,(29)(30)(31)(32). Recently, PR-5 allergens from pollen have been identified as Jun a 3 from mountain cedar (J. ashei), Jun v 3 from eastern red cedar (J. virginiana) and Cup a 3 from C. arizonica (20,22,33).…”