Identification of cross-reactive and genuine Parietaria judaica pollen allergens

Background:: The weed Parietaria judaica is one of the most important pollen allergen sources in the Mediterranean area. Objective:: We sought to identify P judaica pollen allergen, which might be used to serologically distinguish genuine Parietaria sensitization and cross-reactivity to allergens from other weed species (eg, mugwort and ragweed). Methods:: The allergen profile of P judaica IgE-reactive sera from weed pollen-sensitized allergic individuals from the Mediterranean region (n=36) with high Parietaria pollen exposure and from weed pollen-allergic patients with little or no Parietaria exposure (Austria, n=42; Scandinavia, n=8; United States, n=19) was established by CAP FEIA measurements and by IgE immunoblot inhibition experiments with recombinant allergens. Results:: The majority (83%) of the Mediterranean weed pollen-allergic patients mounted high IgE antibody levels (mean specific IgE, 20.89 kUA/L) against recombinant (r) Par j 2, whereas only 7% of the non-Mediterranean weed-allergic patients showed low IgE reactivity to rPar j 2 (mean specific IgE, 1.03 kUA/L). The cytoskeletal protein profilin and a 2-EF-hand calcium-binding allergen were identified as cross-reactive Parietaria allergens, which were recognized preferentially by Parietaria-positive, non-Mediterranean weed pollen-allergic patients. Conclusion:: rPar j 2 might be used as a diagnostic marker allergen to identify weed pollen-allergic patients who are genuinely sensitized against Parietaria pollen and thus would be particularly suited for specific immunotherapy with Parietaria pollen extract.