Spectrum of allergens for Japanese cedar pollinosis and impact of component-resolved diagnosis on allergen-specific immunotherapy

Abstract

The high prevalence of Japanese cedar pollinosis in Japan is associated with a negative impact on the quality of life of patients, as well as significant loss of productivity among the workforce in early spring, thus representing a serious social problem. Furthermore, the prevalence is increasing, and has risen by more than 10% in this decade. Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 were identified as the major allergens in Japanese cedar pollen (JCP), and in 2004, the existence of other major and minor allergens were revealed by a combination of two-dimensional electrophoresis and immunoblotting analysis. Allergenome analysis identified a chitinase, a lipid transfer protein, a serine protease, and an aspartic protease as novel IgE-reactive allergens in patients with JCP allergy. Thaumatin-like protein (Cry j 3) was shown to be homologous to Jun a 3, a major allergen from mountain cedar pollen. Isoflavone reductase-like protein was also characterized in a study of a JCP cDNA library. The characterization of component allergens is required to clarify the sensitizer or cross-reactive elicitor allergens for component-resolved diagnosis (CRD). Increasing evidence from numerous clinical trials indicates that CRD can be used to design effective allergen-specific immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize the eight characterized JCP allergens and discuss the impact of CRD and characterization of novel allergens on allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Pru p 7 sensitization is a predominant cause of severe, cypress pollen‐associated peach allergy

“…Further, in a series of seven CP and PA patients, all displayed IgE binding to a 45‐kDa CP protein, which could be outcompeted by peach extract . Additionally, certain allergens identified in Japanese cedar ( Cryptomeria japonica ) pollen, such as Cry j 3 (thaumatin‐like protein), CJP‐6 (isoflavone‐reductase) and CPA‐9 (subtilisin‐like protease), show sequence identity of 40% or higher with homologues in Rosaceae fruits and other plant foods, suggesting that cross‐reactions may occur through multiple allergen families …”

“…In south‐central United States, mountain cedar ( Juniperus ashei ) pollen is a major cause of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis . Pollinosis to Cupressaceae has been steadily increasing during the past decades, possibly as a result of extended species distribution due to climate change and ability of Cupressaceae pollen to travel over hundreds of kilometres . Individuals with Cupressaceae pollinosis who display similar sensitization profiles due to the homology of allergens from different Cupressaceae species might become exposed to previously unencountered, cross‐reacting foods, when changing residence regions, travelling overseas, or expanding their consumption of fruits and vegetables as a result of healthy living trends .…”

Recombinant Fusion Allergens, Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 from Japanese Cedar Pollen, Conjugated with Polyethylene Glycol Potentiate the Attenuation of Cry j 1-Specific IgE Production in Cry j 1-Sensitized Mice and Japanese Cedar Pollen Allergen-Sensitized Monkeys

“…Seven allergens which reacted with IgE from patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis have been isolated and reported as major or minor allergens for Japanese cedar pollinosis, namely pectate lyase as Cry j 1, polygalacturonase as Cry j 2, thaumatin-like protein as Cry j 3, type IV chitinase, isoflavone reductase-like protein, lipid transfer protein homolog, aspartic protease and subtilisin-like serine protease [3]. Among them, Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 are considered to be major allergens for Japanese cedar pollinosis, with more than 90% of patients having specific IgEs for both allergens in their serum [4,5,6].…”

Der f 34, a Novel Major House Dust Mite Allergen Belonging to a Highly Conserved Rid/YjgF/YER057c/UK114 Family of Imine Deaminases

“…histamine and leukotrienes) from activated mast cells. House dust mites (HDMs) 5 and fungi are major sources of airborne allergens and trigger asthmatic attacks in allergic patients concomitant with air pollutants (2).…”

“…AIT induces antigen-specific immunomodulatory cells or the anergic response of T cells specific to major allergens included in an allergen extract as an AIT vaccine. Therefore, the standardization of AIT vaccines using important major allergens and the characterization of major component allergens in an allergen source are important issues for the development of an effective AIT (5,6). …”