Characterization of Pollen Antigens From Ambrosia L. (Compositae) and Related Taxa by Immunoelectrophoresis and Radial Immunodiffusion

Abstract

The pollen antigens of various Ambrosia and related species were studied to learn whether substances closely related to antigen E (the major allergen of Ambrosia artemisiifolia) were present. After conventional immunoelectrophoresis, pollen extracts from six Ambrosia species each produced at least one pronounced precipitin line with antiserum for purified antigen E. Electrophoretic mobility was the same for several species (A. artemisiifolia, A. bidentata, A. psilostachya, and A. trifida) but was relatively lower for A. acanthicarpa and A. ambrosioides. Precipitin rings were also produced when pollen extracts of the various Ambrosia species were subjected to radial immunodiffusion in agarose which contained antiserum for purified antigen E. There was great variation among the Ambrosia species with respect to precipitin ring diameters. The variation may be due to differences among species in content of the antigen E‐like substances or to altered interaction with the immobilized antibody. Crossed (2‐dimensional) immunoelectrophoresis was shown to be useful for characterizing Ambrosia pollen antigens. Pollen extracts from A. artemisiifolia produced eight pronounced precipitin bands and at least eight faint, relatively fast‐moving bands after crossed immunoelectrophoresis with antiserum against a whole pollen extract from the same species. One of the pronounced bands contained antigen E.

Allergic Reactivity of <i>Parthenium hysterophorus</i> (Santa Maria Feverfew) Pollen: An Unrecognized Allergen

“…These include false ragweed, marsh elder, cocklebur, thistle and goldenrod. Moreover, cross-reactivity be tween ragweed antigens and those of other members of the composite family has been demonstrated [17], Clinically, it has been reported that patients sensitive to ragweed may react to chamomile or marigold when ingested in the form of teas [ 18].…”

Allergenic Cross-Reactivity between <i>Parthenium</i> and Ragweed Pollen Allergens

“…Ragweed is the major cause of allergic rhinitis in the United States [1], Cross-reactivity between ragweed and some of the other members of the Compositae family has been documented [2], The ability of ragweed-sensitive pa tients to clinically react to chamomile or marigold when ingested orally in the form of tea has also been reported [3], Parthenium hysterophorus, being a member of the tribe Heliantheae, is related to ragweed. It has been shown that Parthenium pollen is responsible for the high incidence of allergic rhinitis in certain parts of India where the weed grows wild [4][5][6], During the past 5 years, it has been noticed that persons from the United States with proven sensitivity to ragweed pollen developed allergic rhinitis when they visited Banga lore (India), where there is luxuriant growth of Parthenium but no ragweed.…”