Differential induction of allergy responses by low molecular weight wheat proteins from six wheat cultivars

Although wheat is a common staple food in the world, some people suffer from a variety of wheat allergies. For example, wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis is induced in the gastrointestinal tract by wheat proteins. Relatively high molecular weight proteins that are salt-insoluble induce many wheat allergies. In the present study, we investigated the induction of an allergy response using crude wheat proteins, which are relatively low molecular weight, salt-soluble proteins. The crude antigen used in this study was extracted using phosphate buffered saline. When the antigen extracts from various wheat cultivars were orally administered, differentiable degrees of allergy responses were observed as measured by serum IgE and histamine secretion compared to the control. Serum IgE levels increased following administration of three of the wheat extracts. This evidence suggests that a combination of salt-soluble wheat proteins could be antigens for the induction of various allergy responses.