Abstract

Antigenic as well as allergenic cross-reactivity was observed among the pollen extracts of Paspalum notatum, bahia (BA); Callistemon citrinis, bottlebrush (BO); and Melaleuca leucadendron, melaleuca (ME). lmmunoblot analysis of SOS-PAGE separated proteins revealed multiple antigenic components in the extracts of all three allergens which cross-reacted with rabbit antisera made to each pollen extract (anti-BA, anti-BO and anti-ME). A unique antigenic component of 15 kD molecular size reacting only to rabbit anti-BA antisera was detected in the bahia extract. Allergenic cross-reactivity among these pollens was strongly suggested by results obtained with skin testing of allergic individuals. A clinical study of 55 randomly selected allergic patients demonstrated that 81% of patients skin test positive to at least one of the above three pollens were also positive to the other two. Only 6% of the patients were reactive to just one of the pollen extracts. Skin test data correlated well with the data obtained from immunoblot analysis of the pollen components.

A majority of the SOS-PAGE separated pollen components from each of the ammonium bicarbonate extracts was reactive with lgE from at least one of the allergic patients' sera. These lgE reactive components were detected in the molecular weight range of 29-66 kD. Each of the allergic sera tested and analyzed by western blotting exhibited unique lgE binding patterns indicating heterogeneity of the immune response. Some components were reactive with lgE from sera of more than one patient. These components are possibly major allergens since they are reactive with lgE from at least 60% of the tested patient sera.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1991

Semester

Spring

Advisor

White, Roseanne S.

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Health and Public Affairs

Department

Molecular Biology and Microbiology

Format

PDF

Pages

70 p.

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0028079

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Health and Professional Studies; Health and Professional Studies -- Dissertations, Academic

Accessibility Status

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