IgE reactivity to fish allergens from Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) in atopic dogs

Abstract

Background IgE reactivity to fish allergens in atopic dogs, which are used as models for food allergy, has not been elucidated to date. We investigated IgE reactivity to crude extracts and purified allergens derived from the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) in atopic dogs to identify the allergenic proteins of cod. Results The levels of specific IgE to crude cod extracts were measured in the sera of 179 atopic dogs, including 27 dogs with cod allergy, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Specific IgE to crude cod extracts were present in 36 (20%) of the 179 atopic dogs and in 12 (44%) of the 27 dogs with cod allergy. The allergens in crude cod extracts were analyzed by ELISA, immunoblotting, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In allergen component analysis, IgE reactivity to tropomyosin and enolase was observed in the sera of dogs with cod allergy. IgE reactivity to parvalbumin, collagen, and tropomyosin was evaluated using the sera of atopic dogs that tested positive for specific IgE to crude cod extracts. Among the 36 dogs with IgE reactivity to crude cod extracts, 9 (25%), 14 (39%), and 18 (50%) dogs tested positive for specific IgE to parvalbumin, collagen, and tropomyosin, respectively. Conclusions The IgE reactivity to cod allergens observed in dogs was similar to that in humans, and this finding further supports the use of atopic dogs with fish allergy as a model for fish allergy in humans.

Evaluation of the theoretical risk of cross‐reactivity among recently identified food allergens for dogs

“…Finally, we calculated A‐RISC indices for the two chains of TPM, a well‐known panallergen for humans and a recently found fish allergen in dogs. 8 As can be seen in Figure S1 , the high‐value indices suggested a substantial risk of cross‐reactivity between mammal, poultry and fish TPMs. This risk also was important between the TPMs of these species and two inhalant allergens, Bla g 7 and Der f 10, the latter being a minor mite allergen for dogs.…”

“…This risk also was important between the TPMs of these species and two inhalant allergens, Bla g 7 and Der f 10, the latter being a minor mite allergen for dogs. 8 Finally, A‐RISC indices indicated a possible cross‐reactivity, albeit lower, between all of these TPMs and that of Toxocara canis .…”

“…As meats represent the main sources that trigger food allergies in dogs and cats, 2 we first focussed on the muscle proteins recently characterised as allergens. 3 , 4 , 5 , 8 The A‐RISC indices among species were high to very high, thus suggesting a substantial likelihood of cross‐reactivity. The additional A‐RISC calculations for the WAXY and TPM allergens further highlighted that such cross‐reactivity is not limited to meat allergens and also might occur between meat, nematode and environmental allergens.…”

Exploring plant polyphenols as anti-allergic functional products to manage the growing incidence of food allergy

“…Animal experiments are widely used in life science research and play an important role therein ( 58 ). Guinea pigs, BALB/c mice, Wistar rats, Sprague Dawley rats, Brown Norway rats, piglets, and dogs have been used in experimental anti-allergic studies ( 59 – 65 ). Rodents, such as Guinea pigs, rats, and mice, have short reproductive cycles, are less costly, and can be easily bred, with mature commercial models available, making them more suitable as anti-allergic research animal models ( 66 ).…”