Changes in qualitative and quantitative traits of birch (Betula pendula) pollen allergenic proteins in relation to the pollution contamination

Abstract

Birch (Betula pendula) pollen causes inhalant allergy in about 20% of human population in Europe, most of which is sensitive to the main birch allergen, Bet v1. The aim of the study was to find out (i) whether and how the analysed birch individuals differ in regard to composition of individual subunits of pollen proteins and to protein content in these subunits; (ii) whether the level of particulate matter relates to concentration of Bet v1 allergen. Study was performed in Southern Poland, in 2017–2019. Pollen material was collected at 20 sites, of highly or less polluted areas. Protein composition was analysed by SDS-PAGE, while the concentration of Bet v1 was evaluated by ELISA. The obtained results were estimated at the background of the particulate matter (PM10) level and the birch pollen seasons in Kraków. The electrophoregrams of pollen samples collected at different sites showed huge differences in staining intensities of individual protein subunits, also among important birch allergens: Bet v1, Bet v2, Bet v6 and Bet v7. The level of Bet v1 was significantly higher in the pollen samples collected at the more polluted sites. While the birch pollen allergenic potential is determined, the both pollen exposure and the content of the main allergenic components should be considered, as factors causing immunological response and clinical symptoms manifestation in sensitive individuals.

Drivers of the release of the allergens Bet v 1 and Phl p 5 from birch and grass pollen

“…The fragility of the exine when pollen is exposed to pollutants (Sénéchal et al, 2015) and the consequent release of intracellular content could influence pollen allergenicity. Some authors reported that high levels of ozone and PM 10 leads to higher levels of Bet v 1 (Beck et al, 2013;Ziemianin et al, 2021) and Phl p 5 ( Ščevková et al, 2020). According to Gilles et al (2018), when plants react to biotic and abiotic stressors, some allergenic proteins and secondary metabolites such as lipid mediators can be produced on pollen.…”

Air pollution in the places of Betula pendula growth and development changes the physicochemical properties and the main allergen content of its pollen

“…Our previous studies on the impact of PM10 on Bet v1 concentration in 20 study sites also resulted in the higher level of Bet v1 in the more polluted areas [ 58 ]. Moreover, the pollution level was the more significant factor influencing the Bet v1 concentration in comparison to the year of observations, in spite of that the birch pollen concentrations fluctuated from year to year significantly.…”

Invasive Growth of Ailanthus altissima Trees is Associated with a High Rate of Sensitization in Atopic Patients

“…The allergen content of birch pollen was reported to be higher at sites with air pollution. 40 As A. altissima mainly spreads in urban areas, any impact of traffic pollution on its allergenicity should be an issue in further investigations. In our study, individuals from the city and neighboring communities were sensitized to A. altissima at about the same proportion.…”