4 research outputs found
Non-specific lipid-transfer proteins: Allergen structure and function, cross-reactivity, sensitization, and epidemiology
Al¡lèrgia; Epidemiologia; ProteĂŻna de transferència de lĂpidsAlergia; EpidemiologĂa; ProteĂna de transferencia de lĂpidosAllergy; Epidemiology; Lipid transfer proteinBackground
Discovered and described 40 years ago, non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP) are present in many plant species and play an important role protecting plants from stressors such as heat or drought. In the last 20 years, sensitization to nsLTP and consequent reactions to plant foods has become an increasing concern.
Aim
The aim of this paper is to review the evidence for the structure and function of nsLTP allergens, and cross-reactivity, sensitization, and epidemiology of nsLTP allergy.
Materials and Methods
A Task Force, supported by the European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (EAACI), reviewed current evidence and provide a signpost for future research. The search terms for this paper were âNon-specific Lipid Transfer Proteinsâ, âLTP syndromeâ, âPru p 3â, âplant food allergyâ, âpollen-food syndromeâ.
Results
Most nsLTP allergens have a highly conserved structure stabilised by 4-disulphide bridges. Studies on the peach nsLTP, Pru p 3, demonstrate that nsLTPs are very cross-reactive, with the four major IgE epitopes of Pru p 3 being shared by nsLTP from other botanically related fruits. These nsLTP allergens are to varying degrees resistant to heat and digestion, and sensitization may occur through the oral, inhaled or cutaneous routes. In some populations, Pru p 3 is the primary and sole sensitizing allergen, but many are poly-sensitised both to botanically un-related nsLTP in foods, and non-food sources of nsLTP such as Cannabis sativa, Platanus acerifolia, (plane tree), Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) and Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort). Initially, nsLTP sensitization appeared to be limited to Mediterranean countries, however more recent studies suggest clinically relevant sensitization occurs in North Atlantic regions and also countries in Northern Europe, with nsLTP sensitisation profiles being broadly similar.
Discussion
These robust allergens have the potential to sensitize and provoke symptoms to a large number of plant foods, including those which are raw, cooked or processed. It is unknown why some sensitized individuals develop clinical symptoms to foods whereas others do not, or indeed what other allergens besides Pru p 3 may be primary sensitising allergens. It is clear that these allergens are also relevant in non-Mediterranean populations and there needs to be more recognition of this.
Conclusion
Non-specific LTP allergens, present in a wide variety of plant foods and pollens, are structurally robust and so may be present in both raw and cooked foods. More studies are needed to understand routes of sensitization and the world-wide prevalence of clinical symptoms associated with sensitization to these complex allergens
Nonâspecific lipidâtransfer proteins: Allergen structure and function, crossâreactivity, sensitization, and epidemiology
Abstract Background Discovered and described 40 years ago, nonâspecific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP) are present in many plant species and play an important role protecting plants from stressors such as heat or drought. In the last 20 years, sensitization to nsLTP and consequent reactions to plant foods has become an increasing concern. Aim The aim of this paper is to review the evidence for the structure and function of nsLTP allergens, and crossâreactivity, sensitization, and epidemiology of nsLTP allergy. Materials and Methods A Task Force, supported by the European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (EAACI), reviewed current evidence and provide a signpost for future research. The search terms for this paper were âNonâspecific Lipid Transfer Proteinsâ, âLTP syndromeâ, âPru p 3â, âplant food allergyâ, âpollenâfood syndromeâ. Results Most nsLTP allergens have a highly conserved structure stabilised by 4âdisulphide bridges. Studies on the peach nsLTP, Pru p 3, demonstrate that nsLTPs are very crossâreactive, with the four major IgE epitopes of Pru p 3 being shared by nsLTP from other botanically related fruits. These nsLTP allergens are to varying degrees resistant to heat and digestion, and sensitization may occur through the oral, inhaled or cutaneous routes. In some populations, Pru p 3 is the primary and sole sensitizing allergen, but many are polyâsensitised both to botanically unârelated nsLTP in foods, and nonâfood sources of nsLTP such as Cannabis sativa, Platanus acerifolia, (plane tree), Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) and Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort). Initially, nsLTP sensitization appeared to be limited to Mediterranean countries, however more recent studies suggest clinically relevant sensitization occurs in North Atlantic regions and also countries in Northern Europe, with nsLTP sensitisation profiles being broadly similar. Discussion These robust allergens have the potential to sensitize and provoke symptoms to a large number of plant foods, including those which are raw, cooked or processed. It is unknown why some sensitized individuals develop clinical symptoms to foods whereas others do not, or indeed what other allergens besides Pru p 3 may be primary sensitising allergens. It is clear that these allergens are also relevant in nonâMediterranean populations and there needs to be more recognition of this. Conclusion Nonâspecific LTP allergens, present in a wide variety of plant foods and pollens, are structurally robust and so may be present in both raw and cooked foods. More studies are needed to understand routes of sensitization and the worldâwide prevalence of clinical symptoms associated with sensitization to these complex allergens
Nonâspecific lipidâtransfer proteins: Allergen structure and function, crossâreactivity, sensitization, and epidemiology
Abstract Background Discovered and described 40 years ago, nonâspecific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP) are present in many plant species and play an important role protecting plants from stressors such as heat or drought. In the last 20 years, sensitization to nsLTP and consequent reactions to plant foods has become an increasing concern. Aim The aim of this paper is to review the evidence for the structure and function of nsLTP allergens, and crossâreactivity, sensitization, and epidemiology of nsLTP allergy. Materials and Methods A Task Force, supported by the European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (EAACI), reviewed current evidence and provide a signpost for future research. The search terms for this paper were âNonâspecific Lipid Transfer Proteinsâ, âLTP syndromeâ, âPru p 3â, âplant food allergyâ, âpollenâfood syndromeâ. Results Most nsLTP allergens have a highly conserved structure stabilised by 4âdisulphide bridges. Studies on the peach nsLTP, Pru p 3, demonstrate that nsLTPs are very crossâreactive, with the four major IgE epitopes of Pru p 3 being shared by nsLTP from other botanically related fruits. These nsLTP allergens are to varying degrees resistant to heat and digestion, and sensitization may occur through the oral, inhaled or cutaneous routes. In some populations, Pru p 3 is the primary and sole sensitizing allergen, but many are polyâsensitised both to botanically unârelated nsLTP in foods, and nonâfood sources of nsLTP such as Cannabis sativa, Platanus acerifolia, (plane tree), Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) and Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort). Initially, nsLTP sensitization appeared to be limited to Mediterranean countries, however more recent studies suggest clinically relevant sensitization occurs in North Atlantic regions and also countries in Northern Europe, with nsLTP sensitisation profiles being broadly similar. Discussion These robust allergens have the potential to sensitize and provoke symptoms to a large number of plant foods, including those which are raw, cooked or processed. It is unknown why some sensitized individuals develop clinical symptoms to foods whereas others do not, or indeed what other allergens besides Pru p 3 may be primary sensitising allergens. It is clear that these allergens are also relevant in nonâMediterranean populations and there needs to be more recognition of this. Conclusion Nonâspecific LTP allergens, present in a wide variety of plant foods and pollens, are structurally robust and so may be present in both raw and cooked foods. More studies are needed to understand routes of sensitization and the worldâwide prevalence of clinical symptoms associated with sensitization to these complex allergens