Abstract
Ailanthus altissima or Ailanthus glandulosa (Simaroubaceae) is known as tree of heaven. It is a dioecious plant with staminate and pistillate flowers that grow on separate trees. In recent years, A. altissima has been frequently planted in numerous areas, especially in arid and semiarid lands of Iran and also used as an ornamental tree in several Iran cities including Kerman. The aim of this research was to identify IgE-binding proteins responsible for type I hypersensitivities of A. altissima pollen extract. In this study, pollen’s proteins were extracted and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Total protein content of pollen extracts was measured by Bradford assay. Allergenicity of pollen extract was evaluated by skin test and immunoblotting. Results showed that total protein concentration of A. altissima pollen was found to be 1.34 μg μl−1. In A. altissima pollen extract, different protein fractions were identified by SDS-PAGE mostly at 42, 53.7, 63, 87.7, 100 and 120 kDa. Skin tests showed a delayed hypersensitivity. Immunoblotting of A. altissima pollen extract with pooled subject’s sera detected a major IgE-binding component of 42 kDa. Moreover, these results will provide a platform for cloning cDNA encoding allergenic protein from A. altissima pollen.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.References
Ahmed, N., Dawson, M., Smith, C., Wood, E. (2007) Biology of disease. In Owen, E. (Ed.), Disorders of the immune system (pp. 99–125). UK. Taylor & Francis Group publications.
Aldrich, P. R., Brusa, A., Heinz, C. A., Greer, G. K., & Huebner, C. (2008). Floral Visitation of the Invasive Stinking Ash in Western Suburban Chicago. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science, 101, 1–12.
Amiraslani, F., & Dragovich, D. (2011). Combating desertification in Iran over the last 50 years: an overview of changing approaches. Journal of Environmental Management, 92, 1–13.
Assarehzadegan, M. A., Sankian, M., Jabberi Azad, F., Noorbakhsh, R., & Varasteh, A. (2009). Allergy to Salsola Kali in a Salsola incanescens-rich area: role of extensive cross allergenicity. Allergology International, 58(2), 261–266.
Ballero, M., Ariu, A., Falagiani, P., & Piu, G. (2003). Allergy to Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven) pollen. Allergy, 58, 532–533.
Bradford, M. (1976). A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Analytical Biochemistry, 72, 248–254.
Ghahreman, A. (1993). Plant systematics: cormophytes of Iran (Vol. 2). Tehran: Iran University Press.
Herz, U., Renz, H., & Wiedermann, U. (2004). Animal models of type I allergy using recombinant allergens. Methods, 32, 271–280.
Kowarik, I., & Säumel, I. (2007). Biological flora of central Europe: Ailanthus altissma (Mill.) Swingle. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 8, 207–237.
Laemmli, U. K. (1970). Cleavage of structural protein during assembly of the head of Bacteriophase T4. Nature, 227(5259), 680–685.
Marciani, D. J. (2003). Vaccine adjuvants: role and mechanisms of action in vaccine immunogenicity. Drug Discovery Today, 20, 934–943.
Maxia, A., & Maxia, L. (2003). Alanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle as a cause of immunoallergic respiratory manifestations. Rendiconti Seminario Facoltà Scienze Università Cagliari, 73, 27–32.
McNeel, D. G., Schiffman, K., & Dsis, M. L. (1999). Immunization with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor as a vaccine adjuvant elicits both a cellular and humoral response to recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Blood, 93, 2653–2659.
Mondal, S., Mondal, A. K., & Mandal, S. (2007). Evaluation of electroelution and immunodiffusion as methods for purification and identification of the allergenic proteins of Ailanthus excelca Robx pollen. Grana, 46, 91–97.
MSTATC. (1990). MSTATC a Microcomputer Program for the Design, management and analysis of agronomic research experiments. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University.
Shahali, Y., Majd, A., Pourpak, Z., Tajadod, G., Haftlang, M., & Moin, M. (2007). Comparative Study of the Pollen Protein Contents in Two Major Varieties of Cupressus arizonica Planted in Tehran. Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 6(3), 123–127.
Stevens, C. D. (2010). Clinical serology and immunology: a laboratory perspective. In Fratantoro. C., Granlund, S., & Caputo, G. (Eds.), Hypersensitivity (pp. 202–216).USA: F.A. Davis Company publications.
Wheeler, A. W., & Woroniecki, S. R. (2001). Immunological adjuvants in allergy vaccines: Past, present and future. Allergology International, 20, 295–301.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Majd, A., Rezanejad, F., Irian, S. et al. Hypersensitivity to Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven) pollen: identification of a major IgE-binding component. Aerobiologia 29, 407–412 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-013-9290-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-013-9290-6