Birch pollen associated soy allergy – possibilities in diagnostic and clinical relevance1)

Birch pollen allergic individuals frequently suffer from food allergies in the form of an oral allergy syndrome after eating pome and stone fruits. These complaints are based on an immunological cross-reaction between pollen and food allergens. In the past, it has been shown that many birch pollen allergic patients are additionally not able to tolerate high protein soy products. Some severe immediate type reactions to soy have been observed. The cause for these immediate type reactions to soy is a Bet v 1 cross-reactive soy allergen called Gly m 4.Using a collective of 73 birch pollen allergic patients with associated food allergy in Leipzig as an example, the results of a standardized questioning, prick-to-prick test with a soy drink, determination of specific IgE against rGly m 4, and basophil activation test with Gly m 4 are presented.We showed that commercially available prick test extracts and determination of specific IgE against soy bean mix/f14 are not appropriate to diagnose birch pollen associated soy allergy. Generally, soy sensitization could be proven when a prick-to-prick-test with a soy drink and determination of specific IgE against rGly m 4 were done. A positive prick-to-prick test with a soy drink was found in 79% (55/70) of the birch pollen allergic patients with 89% (65/73) showing specific IgE for rGly m 4 (CAP>1). Although not every sensitization was clinically relevant, every third patient with a proven soy sensitization was diagnosed with a clinically relevant allergy to soy.

Molecular analysis of VcfQ protein involved in Vibrio cholerae type IV pilus biogenesis

The nucleotide sequence of an ORF (vcfQ) within the type IV pilus gene cluster of Vibrio cholerae O34 strain NAGV14 was determined, thereby completing the sequence analysis of the structural operon. The vcfQ gene showed homology to the mshQ gene of the mannose-sensitive haemagglutinin pilus gene cluster. The vcfQ was 651 bp larger than mshQ, and the G+C content of the extra 651 bp portion (35.6 mol%) was lower than that of the overall vcfQ gene (42.5 mol%). Except for the first 270 aa residues, the deduced amino acid sequence of VcfQ showed high homology to the MshQ protein. There was immunological cross-reaction between VcfQ and MshQ by Western blotting. Cell fractionation studies showed that VcfQ is located in both the inner and the outer membranes. Mutational analysis showed that vcfQ-deficient mutant expressed detectable levels of major pilin (VcfA), but failed to assemble them into pili, indicating that VcfQ is essential for pilus assembly. Colony-blotting analyses showed that the N-terminal region of vcfQ is variable in V. cholerae strains.

Levels of alpha2 pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in maternal circulation during pregnancy in the mink

This is the first demonstration of α2-pregnancy-associated glycoprotein ( α2-PAG) in the mink. Mink α2-PAG exhibits complete immunological cross reaction with dog α2-PAG when analysed in assays employing antisera against canine α2-PAG raised in rabbits. Alpha2-PAG was quantitated by rocket immunoelectrophoresis in heparin plasma samples obtained from the peripheral circulation of mink during the breeding season. The plasma levels recorded in male mink were significantly lower (23 AU/ml) than the levels recorded in females at any stage of the breeding period. Very early in the breeding season and 2 weeks after delivery the α2-PAG levels were high (>200 AU/ml) in the circulation of the female mink. Like α2-PAG in the pregnant bitch, mink α2-PAG concentrations reach a local maximum in mid-pregnancy, and a local minimum at term.

EVIDENCE FOR EXTENDED MAINTENANCE OF THE CORPUS LUTEUM BY UTERINE INFUSION OF A RECOMBINANT TROPHOBLAST α-INTERFERON (TROPHOBLASTIN) IN SHEEP

ABSTRACT Ovine trophoblastin (oTP) is a natural interferon of the class-II interferon-α subfamily. Recombinant ovine trophoblastin (r.oTP), produced by genetic engineering, was purified by anion-exchange HPLC. The product exhibited a high degree of homogeneity (>98%), and similar immunological cross reaction and antiviral activity to natural oTP. Antiluteolytic activity of r.oTP was established by intrauterine injection in two groups of cyclic recipient ewes. Control group A included 10 ewes which received sterile BSA in saline twice daily for 8 days (from day 10-12 of oestrous cycle). Experimental group B included 17 ewes which received 80 μg (4 ewes), 170 μg (8 ewes) or 340 μg (5 ewes) r.oTP daily for 8 days. Maintenance of functional corpora lutea for 1 month or more was observed in 4 out of 5 ewes which received high doses of r.oTP. These results indicate that oTP alone extends luteal secretory activity.