Abstract

In Northern and Central Europe and in Northern America, apple allergy is to a high degree associated with allergy to pollen from birch. The symptoms of apple allergy are itching and swelling of lips, tongue and throat after ingestion, i.e. oral allergy syndrome (OAS). The cross-reactivity is caused by immunological similarities between the major allergen in birch, Bet v 1, and the major allergen in apple, Mal d 1. Depending on variation in content and level of allergens, there are differences in the allergenic potency of different apple cultivars. In this study, protein content in skin and flesh of two apple cultivars previously defined as being high or low antibody binding, i.e. 'Fuji' and 'Pacific Rose', was analysed by means of two-dimensional electrophoresis in conjunction with immunoblotting using a monoclonal antibody raised against Bet v 1, i.e. 5H8. In 'Fuji', there was a pronounced binding of 5H8 to Mal d 1 isoforms in both skin and flesh. In 'Pacific Rose', none of the Mal d 1 isoforms were recognised in the flesh, whereas two were recognised in the skin. These preliminary results indicate that different isoforms of a specific allergen may have a great impact on allergic reactions

Published in

Acta Horticulturae
2004, number: No.663(Vol.1), pages: 297-300
ISBN: 90-6605-386-0
Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)

SLU Authors

• Persson Hovmalm, Helena

  • Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Nybom, Hilde

  • Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Horticulture


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/4020