Allergy Asthma Respir Dis.  2015 Mar;3(2):134-138. 10.4168/aard.2015.3.2.134.

Biohazard surveillance of allergic contact dermatitis in genetically-modified Zoysia grasses using patch testing

• Lee J
• Sun HJ
• Lee HY

• KMID: 2168506
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aard.2015.3.2.134

Abstract

PURPOSE
Genetic modification technique is widely used in plants for improving crop yields and qualities, and reducing pesticide use. Zoysia japonica is one of the widely planted grasses for lawning. Pollenless herbicide-tolerant genetically modified (GM) grasses (JG21-MS1 and JG21-MS2) were developed under surveillance for possible biohazard. Grasses may cause allergic contact dermatitis with direct contact on human skin. Patch testing with allergens was adopted to compare the incidences of allergic contact dermatitis to GM grass leaves with those of wild-type grass.
METHODS
Patch testing with controls and leaves of wild-type and GM grasses was performed in individuals with informed consent.
RESULTS
Ninety-seven individuals (mean age, 32+/-8 years; 48% males) were enrolled. For nickel sulfate as a positive control, 38 subjects (39.2%) were positive. For GM grasses, 10 (10.3%) showed positive patch test results and 11 (11.3%), for wild-type grass, the proportions of which were similar among the tested grasses.
CONCLUSION
JG21-MS1 and JG21-MS2 are not more biohazardous than wild-type grass in the risk of allergic contact dermatitis.

Keyword

Genetically modified plants; Contact dermatitis; Patch tests; Hypersensitivity; Allergens

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact*
Dermatitis, Contact
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Incidence
Informed Consent
Nickel
Patch Tests*
Plants
Plants, Genetically Modified
Poaceae*
Skin
Allergens
Nickel

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Patch testing with Finn chambers: an actual preparation. Nickel, Nickel sulfate as a positive control; NC, blanked as a negative control; WT, wild type of Zoysia japonica; 1, JG21 (genetically modified Z. japonica for herbicide tolerance); 2, JG21-MS2 (genetically modified Z. japonica for herbicide tolerance and male sterility); 3, JG21-MS1 (genetically modified Z. japonica for herbicide tolerance and unbolting).

• 

  Fig. 2 Positive rates in the patch testing. Nickel, Nickel sulfate as a positive control; NC, blanked as a negative control; WT, wild type of Zoysia japonica; 1, JG21 (genetically modified Z. japonica for herbicide tolerance); 2, JG21-MS2 (genetically modified Z. japonica for herbicide tolerance and male sterility); 3, JG21-MS1 (genetically modified Z. japonica for herbicide tolerance and unbolting).

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