Yonsei Med J.  2018 Sep;59(7):852-856. 10.3349/ymj.2018.59.7.852.

IgE Cross-Reactivity between Humulus japonicus and Humulus lupulus

• Jeong KY
• Lee J
• Mistrello
• Park KH
• Park JW

• KMID: 2428911
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2018.59.7.852

Abstract

PURPOSE
Japanese hop (Humulus japonicus) is a major cause of weed pollinosis in East Asia. However, supplies of commercial allergen extract from this plant have not met clinical demand. The pollen of common hop (Humulus lupulus), a closely related species, may provide an alternative source if there is strong IgE cross-reactivity between these two species. We aimed to compare the IgE cross-reactivity and allergenicity of common hop and Japanese hop pollen.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Cross-reactivity was measured by inhibition ELISA. One- and two-dimensional (2D) gel analyses combined with IgE immunoblotting and mass spectrometry [liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS)] were performed to detect IgE-reactive pollen components.
RESULTS
Up to 16.7% of IgE reactivity to Japanese hop was inhibited by common hop. A 12-kDa protein component of Japanese hop pollen that showed the most potent IgE reaction was absent from common hop. Six IgE-reactive components from Japanese hop were detected by 2D gel electrophoresis and LC-ESI-MS/MS, but showed low Mascot scores, preventing positive identification.
CONCLUSION
No significant IgE cross-reaction was observed for Japanese and common hop pollen allergens. Development of allergy diagnostic and immunotherapeutic reagents based on Japanese hop pollen are urgently needed.

Keyword

Allergen; cross-reactivity; Japanese hop; pollinosis; pollen

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Chromatography
Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Equipment and Supplies
Far East
Humans
Humulus*
Hypersensitivity
Immunoblotting
Immunoglobulin E*
Indicators and Reagents
Mass Spectrometry
Plants
Pollen
Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Allergens
Immunoglobulin E
Indicators and Reagents

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Inhibition ELISA analysis of hop pollen extracts. IgE reactivity to Japanese hop was competitively inhibited by pre-incubation of serum with various concentration of Japanese hop or common hop pollen extracts.

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  Fig. 2 Protein profiles and IgE-reactive components of hop pollen extracts. (A) Proteins (20 µg) were separated on an 18% SDS-PAGE gel under denaturing conditions. (B) IgE-reactive components were probed with serum from Japanese hop allergy patients. J, Japanese hop; L, common hop.

• 

  Fig. 3 Proteomic analysis of hop pollen proteins. Proteins (50 µg) were separated and visualized with Coomassie Blue stain, and IgE-reactive components were probed with serum from Japanese hop allergy patients. (A) Japanese hop protein profiles. (B) Common hop protein profiles. (C) IgE-reactive components of Japanese hop. (D) IgE-reactive components of common hop. Proteins indicated with arrows were excised and subjected to liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis.

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