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Copyright of Revue Francaise d'Allergologie is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revue Francaise d'Allergologie is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: The linear IgE-binding epitopes of non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP) from plants were predicted using a combination of predictive tools including (1) the hydropathic profiles based on different scales of hydrophilicity, flexibility and exposure to the solvent, (2) the hydrophobic cluster analysis plots, (3) the occurrence of charged residues in the predicted amino acid sequence stretches and, (4) the exposition of the predicted linear IgE-binding epitopes checked on the three-dimensional models built for the nsLTP. A reliable prediction was obtained for nsLTP as compared with the previously characterized IgE-binding epitopes of various proteins. A consensual IgE-binding epitope occurring in other plant nsLTP and responsible for some IgE-binding cross-reactivity among fruit nsLTP has been identified and characterized. Despite some discrepancies, a fairly good prediction resulted in applying our combination of predictive methods to longer nsLTP or plant profilins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The localization and distribution of non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP) allergens in the skin and pulp of Rosaceae fruits (apple, peach, apricot, plum) has been investigated. nsLTP essentially concentrate in the pericarp of the fruits whereas the pulp contains lower amounts of allergens. Immunolocalization showed they are primarily located in the cytosol but are subsequently excreted and finally accumulate at the plasmalemma–cell wall interface and in the cell wall. However, high discrepancies were observed in the content of allergens among, e.g. different cultivars of apple. As a consequence, the consumption of peeled-off fruits is recommended to reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock) in individuals sensitized to Rosaceae fruits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Allergy to a plant food can either result from direct sensitization to that food or from primary sensitization to pollen, latex, or another food. Objective: We sought to investigate the primary sensitizers in apple allergy across Europe, the individual allergens involved, and whether these differences determine the clinical presentation. Methods: Patients (n = 389) with positive case histories and skin prick test responses to fresh apple were selected in the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, and Spain. Skin prick tests and RASTs to a panel of pollens and plant foods were performed, as well as RASTs to Bet v 1 and the apple allergens Mal d 1, 2, 3, and 4. Results: In the Netherlands, Austria, and Italy apple allergy is mild (>90% isolated oral symptoms) and related to birch pollinosis and sensitization to Bet v 1 and its apple homologue, Mal d 1, which has an odds ratio of local reactions of 2.85 (95% CI, 1.47-5.55). In Spain apple allergy is severe (>35% systemic reactions) and related to peach allergy and sensitization to Mal d 3 (nonspecific lipid transfer protein), which has an odds ratio of systemic reactions of 7.76 (95% CI, 3.87-15.56). Conclusion: The analysis of individual apple allergens in a clinical context has provided insight into the sensitization pathway and into the intrinsic risk an allergen bears to induce mild or severe food allergy. Clinical implications: Information on the sensitization pathway is essential to develop preventive strategies in food allergy. The application of individual food allergens with a known intrinsic risk will improve the prognostic value of diagnostic tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Apple cultivars have been reported to differ in allergenicity on the basis of in vitro and skin prick tests with apple extracts. Objectives: We sought to evaluate the efficacy of the prick-to-prick method in assessing differences in allergenicity of apple cultivars and to confirm differences by means of double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). Methods: Intra-assay and intracultivar variation of prick-to-prick test results were determined in 6 Dutch and 8 Spanish patients with apple allergy by using 5 apples of the cultivars Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Ecolette in duplicate. In addition, 21 cultivars were screened for allergenicity in 15 Dutch patients with birch pollen and apple allergy. Two selected cultivars (Golden Delicious and Santana) were tested with DBPCFCs. The influence of storage conditions on allergenicity was assessed in 5 cultivars. Results: Intra-assay variation of skin prick testing was 3.9%, and intracultivar variation was 4.1%. A ranking of 21 cultivars was made on the basis of prick-to-prick tests in 9 patients. Apple cultivars were classified as of low, intermediate, and high allergenicity, with a significant difference between low and high allergenicity (P < .001). A significant difference in allergenicity determined between Golden Delicious and Santana cultivars (P < .05) was confirmed by means of DBPCFC. With 5 cultivars, controlled atmosphere (2.5% oxygen/1% carbon dioxide) was shown to reduce allergenicity (P < .001) by 15% compared with storage at 2°C. Conclusions: Prick-to-prick testing with fresh apples is a reproducible method of assessing allergenicity. Apples can be classified as of low or high allergenicity for the majority of patients. This was confirmed by using DBPCFCs. Selection of cultivars and control of storage conditions are both viable strategies for reduction of symptoms in patients with apple allergy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The importance of apple allergens, in particular Mal d 1, a Bet v 1 homologue for the pollen-fruit syndrome in Northern Europe, and Mal d 3, responsible for true fruit allergy in Southern Europe, has been repeatedly emphasized. However, little is known about the distribution pattern of major allergens in fruits and whether differences exist among different cultivars. Transcript expression of Mal d 1 isoforms and Mal d 3 was examined by RealTime-PCR and Northern analysis, respectively. An immuno-tissue-print (ITP) assay was developed to localise major allergens in apple fruit tissue and a Mal d 1 specific, patient independent ELISA was established. ITP analyses show that Mal d 1 and Mal d 2 are distributed throughout the apple pulp and peel, while Mal d 3 is restricted to the peel. Data obtained by ELISA reveal a variation of Mal d 1 content ranging from 0.84 to 33.17μg/g fresh weight in 39 selected cultivars. Different apple cultivars show a markedly different expression of major allergens; this finding will influence the development of diagnostic tools as well as the dietary management of allergic individuals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Selenium biofortification of apples can improve nutrient supply. • Biofortification with selenium alters composition of primary metabolites. • Increased selenium content led to reduced contents of the protein Mal d 1. • Biofortification of apples with selenium can also reduce the allergenic potential. • Selenium-containing fertilizers seem to balance stress response in apples. As allergy towards apples is widespread, the evaluation of various cultivation and postharvest influences on the allergenic potential is of great importance. Therefore, the analysis of the Mal d 1 content was the focus of this study, originally dealing with investigating the influence of a selenium biofortification on apple quality. The Mal d 1 content of apples was in most cases reduced when the fruits were biofortified with selenium. Apple variety and climatic conditions were identified as further influencing factors for the Mal d 1 content of the fruits. The separate analysis of the peel and the fruit flesh showed that the content of Mal d 1 in the fruit flesh was significantly lower in the biofortified samples than in the controls. In conclusion, the results indicate that the selenium biofortification of apples and biochemical mechanism behind can reduce the allergenic potential regarding the content of Mal d 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fruit of the Rosaceae family, in particular apples and peachs, are frequent causes of food allergy. The clinical manifestations of these allergies differ as a function of geographic location. In the context of the SAFE project (QLK1-CT-2000-01394), financed by the European Community, the apple has been chosen as a model for the study of the relationship between the clinical presentation and the profile of sensitivity to Rosaceae allergens. This study included 389 patients allergic to apples and who live in four European regions: the Netherlands (Utrecht), Austria (Vienna), northern Italy (Milan) and central Spain (Madrid). Two different profiles of apple allergy were found in Europe: one in the Netherlands, Austria and in most of the patients (90%) in northern Italy, the other in Spain and in a minority (10%) of the Italians patients. Patients coming from regions where birch pollen is present become allergic to this pollen and to its major allergen Bet v 1 through contact via the respiratory tract; allergy to apple begins later as a consequence of cross-reactivity between Bet v 1 and Mal d 1. In Spain, allergy to apple is a result of primary sensitization to peach and its major allergen Pru p 3, subsequent allergy to apple being the consequence of cross-reactivity between lipid transfer proteins Pru p 3 and Mal d 3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]