PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate hidden allergens of acute idiopathic urticaria (AIU) in childhood by using the component-resolved diagnostics (CRD). METHODS: We applied CRD using pathogenesis-related protein family number 10 (PR-10) and nonspecific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP). RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 74 AIU children (29.7%) were found to be positive on CRD. Ten children were positive to nMal d 1 for apple (value range, 1.10–40.59), 6 to rConr a 1 for hazelnut (1.53–11.97), 4 to rPru p 1 for peach (1.32–11.83). 6 to rAra h 8 for peanut (1.20–8.12), 6 to nAct d 8 for kiwi (0.85–3.32), 4 to rBet v 1 for birch (2.49–54.28), and 3 to rAln g 1 for alder (2.32–5.74). Six children were positive to nPru p 3 for peach (1.45–18.77), 4 to rCor a 8 for hazelnut (2.56–9.19), 2 to nArt v 3 for mugwort (3.40–7.42), and 3 to rBet v2 to profilin of birch (2.56–17.46). Ten children with AIU were positive to multiple component proteins. For hazelnut, 5 children were positive to PR-10 (rConr a 1) and nsLTP (rConr a 1). For peach, 3 children were positive to PR-10 (rPru p 1) and nsLTP (nPru p 3). CONCLUSION: IgE sensitization to PR-10 or nsLTP may be allergen components for AIU in childhood.
Allergens ; Alnus ; Arachis ; Artemisia ; Betula ; Child* ; Corylus ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Profilins ; Prunus persica ; Urticaria*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of profilin 2 (PFN2) in gastric cancer and assess its potential value as a novel prognostic indicator and a therapeutic target. METHODS: We collected gastric cancer and paired adjacent tissues from 100 patients for immunohistochemical detection of PFN2 expression. According to the expression level of PFN2, the patients were divided into two groups with high (46 cases) and low (48 cases) PNF2 expression in cancer tissues, and also into two groups with high (26 cases) and low (49 cases) PNF2 expression in adjacent tissues. Chi-square test, Spearman correlation and KaplanMeier survival analysis were used to analyze the relationship between PFN2 protein expression level and the patients' clinical parameters. We also tested the effects of PFN2 knockdown and overexpression on the proliferation and migration of MKN-45 cells using Transwell assay and CCK-8 assay. RESULTS: The expression of PFN2 protein was significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues than in adjacent tissues (P < 0.01). PFN2 expression was positively correlated with M-stage of gastric cancer and VEGFR expression in the tumor tissues (P < 0.01). A high expression of PFN2 protein was significantly correlated with a poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients (P < 0.01), and was an independent predictor of the prognosis of gastric cancer. In MKN-45 cells, the cells overexpressing PFN2 showed significantly stronger proliferation and migration abilities than those with PFN2 knockdown (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION PFN2 protein is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues to promote the proliferation and migration of the tumor cells. PFN2 may serve as a potential diagnostic marker, a prognostic indicator and a therapeutic target for gastric cancer.
Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Profilins/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Survival Analysis

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) usually presents as an immediate swelling and itching sensation of the mouth and throat after ingestion of a food allergen. OAS may be the most common food allergy-related manifestation. Watermelon and melon belong to the Cucurbitaceae family and often show allergenic cross reactivity. Profilin is a 13 kda protein that is identified as a relevant pollen allergen in airborne pollen and related plant food allergies. Profilin is found in both watermelon and melon. Here we report a case of OAS to watermelon and melon in an 11 year-old boy. He was positive to the skin prick test, patch test and oral challenge test with watermelon and melon.
Citrullus ; Cucurbitaceae ; Eating ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Mouth ; Patch Tests ; Pharynx ; Plants ; Pollen ; Profilins ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Skin

UNLABELLEDTo set up a new rapid and efficient way for the preparation of specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with plasmid DNA immunization.

METHODSThe fusion gene of IL-2 signal peptide and profilin 1 by 'overlapping PCR' was obtained and inserted into the vector pVAX1 to construct the recombinant plasmid pVAX-IL2-profl. Another fusion gene of IgG kappa chain signal peptide and profilin 1 by 'no template PCR' was obtained and inserted into the vector pVAX1 to construct the recombinant plasmid pVAX-Igkappa-prof1. BALB/c mice were single intrasplenic immunized with plasmid DNA. Results After cell fusion and hybridomas screening by indirect ELISA, we charactered two mAbs (1D8A2B4 and 4B12A5E3) against profilin 1. The MAbs isotype were determined as IgM and IgG3.

CONCLUSIONA single intrasplenic plasmid DNA immunization is rapid and efficient and can be used as a helpful tool for the production of specific mAb.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; DNA ; genetics ; immunology ; Female ; Gene Fusion ; Immunization ; Interleukin-2 ; genetics ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Profilins ; genetics ; immunology ; Spleen ; immunology ; metabolism

Food allergy is an adverse food reaction as a result of immune mechanisms. In a sensitized individual, food allergens activate mast cells and basophils by binding with IgE present on the cell surface, resulting in the release of chemical mediators and various cytokines to cause various clinical symptoms of food allergy. Sensitization to food allergens can occur in the gastrointestinal tract (class 1 food allergy) or as a consequence of cross reactivity to structurally homologous inhalant allergens (class 2 food allergy). The class 1 food allergens are water-soluble glycoproteins with 10-70 kD size that are resistant to heat, acid and enzymes. On the other hand, the class 2 food allergens are highly unstable and degraded by heat or enzymatic digestion. Much progress has been made in identifying and isolating food allergen. Recently cDNAs for many proteins have been isolated and recombinant proteins have been generated. These techniques make it easier to characterize each responsible food allergens. Plant food allergens are classified into families and superfamilies by their structural and functional properties. The most of plant food allergens are the cupin and prolamin superfamilies and the protein families of the plant defense system. The cupin superfamily includes allergenic seed storage proteins of 7s globulin (vicilin) and 11s globulin (legumin). 2s albumin seed storage proteins, the nonspecific lipid transfer proteins, and the cereal alpha-amylase and protease inhibitors belong to the prolamin superfamily. Profilins, heveins, and nonspecific lipid transfer proteins are present in a variety of pollens, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. These are considered as panallergens, causing a significant degree of IgE-mediated cross-reactivity. Detailed informations about the character of food allergens can be used to develop more sophisticated diagnostic methods and treatment modalities in the near future. Further knowledge of food allergens is also useful to assess the allergenicity of novel protein of genetically mo.
Allergens* ; alpha-Amylases ; Basophils ; Edible Grain ; Classification* ; Cytokines ; Digestion ; DNA, Complementary ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Fruit ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Glycoproteins ; Hand ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Mast Cells ; Nuts ; Plants* ; Pollen ; Profilins ; Protease Inhibitors ; Recombinant Proteins ; Seed Storage Proteins ; Vegetables

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is an IgE-mediated allergy caused by cross-reacting antigenic determinants in pollens and various fruits, vegetables, and nuts which are known as the most common food allergy in adults. Cross-reactive antigenic proteins include pathogenesis-related-10 protein, profilin, cross-reactive carbohydrate determinant and lipid transfer protein. The prevalence of OAS has been reported at up to 70% of birch pollen allergy. A nationwide multicenter study in our country has recently reported that the prevalence of OAS in Korea is 41.7% of pollen allergy. Typical symptoms of OAS are tingling, itching sense and edema of lips, mouth, and throat immediately after ingestion of raw fruits, vegetables, or nuts. These can progress to systemic symptoms including anaphylaxis. The diagnosis can be made by typical clinical history in patients with pollen allergy. Skin prick test using fresh fruits extracts can be helpful in confirming sensitization to foods, which has better sensitivity than commercial skin prick test or serum specific IgE test. Treatment of OAS is to avoid causative foods. Self-injectable epinephrine should be considered in the case of anaphylaxis. Allergen-specific immunotherapy to pollens has also been tried.
Adult ; Anaphylaxis ; Betula ; Diagnosis ; Eating ; Edema ; Epinephrine ; Epitopes ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Fruit ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunotherapy ; Korea ; Lip ; Mouth ; Nuts ; Pharynx ; Pollen ; Prevalence ; Profilins ; Pruritus ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Skin ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND: Recently, the prevalence of food allergies during childhood is increasing, with fruits being common allergens. However, data on allergens that cause fruit and vegetable allergies and pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) in childhood are relatively few. This study aimed to examine the allergens in fruit and vegetable allergies in pediatric patients and to determine the association between fruit and vegetable allergies and PFAS.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the current status of fruit and vegetable allergies in Japanese children.METHODS: This was a multicenter case series observational study. The participants included children aged <15 years who developed allergic symptoms after eating fruits and vegetables and subsequently received treatment in the Pediatric Department of 6 hospitals in the Osaka Prefecture in Japan during the study period from August 2016 to July 2017. Participants' information was obtained using a questionnaire, and data were obtained by performing several types of allergy tests using blood samples.RESULTS: A total of 97 children (median age, 9 years; 56 males) were included in the study. Apple was the most common allergen, followed by peach, kiwi, cantaloupe, and watermelon. A total of 74 participants (76%) exhibited allergic symptoms due to PFAS; moreover, pathogenesis-related protein-10 (PR-10) was the most common allergen superfamily. On the contrary, in the group where neither PR-10 nor profilin was sensitized, kiwi and banana were the most common allergens, and the age of onset was lower than that in the PFAS group. Specific antibody titer was significantly associated with Birch for Bet v1 and latex for Bet v2 (r = 0.99 and r = 0.89).CONCLUSION: When we examine patients with fruit and vegetable allergies, we should first consider PFAS even in childhood specifically for children greater than 4 years old.
Age of Onset ; Allergens ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Child ; Citrullus ; Clinical Study ; Cucumis melo ; Eating ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Fruit ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Japan ; Latex ; Musa ; Observational Study ; Prevalence ; Profilins ; Prunus persica ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Vegetables