Identification of cross-reactive IgE-binding proteins from Philippine allergenic grass pollen extracts

Abstract

Background: Respiratory allergies are one of the most common allergic diseases that affect Filipinos. Grass pollen accounts for the majority of the outdoor allergens triggering these respiratory allergies. Cross-reactivity among the Philippine grass pollen grains has not been extensively studied. Objective: This study aims to investigate the cross-reactivity of our local grasses and identify the cross-reactive allergens. Methods: Grass pollen grains were collected and processed into crude allergenic extracts. The IgE-reactivity of these crude allergenic pollen extracts was studied using sera from patients who tested positive for the mentioned extracts. The proteins from the immunoblots of cross-reactive pollen allergen extracts were sequenced and identified. Results. Allergenic pollen proteins were identified as cross-reactive among the grass pollen extracts. Four of these have not been listed yet as grass allergens in the World Health Organization/International Union of Immunological Societies allergen nomenclature database. Conclusion: Local grass pollen allergens are cross-reactive with probable new allergens identified.