Non-specific lipid-transfer proteins: Allergen structure and function, cross-reactivity, sensitization, and epidemiology

• Published in: Clinical and Translational Allergy
• Main Authors: Skypala, Isabel J., Asero, Ricardo, Barber, Domingo, Cecchi, Lorenzo, Diaz Perales, Arazeli, Hoffmann‐Sommergruber, Karin, Luengo Sanchez, Olga
• Other Authors: Institut Català de la Salut, Skypala IJ Department of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College, London, UK. Asero R Ambulatorio di Allergologia, Clinica San Carlo, Milan, Italy. Barber D IMMA, School of Medicine, Universidad San Pablo CEU, CEU Universities, Madrid, Spain. RETIC ARADYAL RD16/0006/0015, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. Cecchi L SOS Allergy and Clinical Immunology, USL Toscana Centro, Prato, Italy. Diaz Perales A Departamento de Biotecnología‐Biología Vegetal, Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP,UPM‐INIA),Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. Hoffmann-Sommergruber K Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Luengo O Unitat d’Al·lèrgia, Servei de Medicina Interna, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. ARADyAL, Barcelona, Spain, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2021
• Subjects: Anafilaxi; Al·lèrgia alimentària - Diagnòstic; CHEMICALS AND DRUGS::Biological Factors::Antigens::Allergens; DISEASES::Immune System Diseases::Hypersensitivity::Hypersensitivity; Immediate::Food Hypersensitivity; Other subheadings::Other subheadings::/diagnosis; COMPUESTOS QUÍMICOS Y DROGAS::factores biológicos::antígenos::alérgenos; ENFERMEDADES::enfermedades del sistema inmune::hipersensibilidad::hipersensibilidad inmediata::hipersensibilidad a los alimentos; Otros calificadores::Otros calificadores::/diagnóstico; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/11351/6779; https://doi.org/10.1002/clt2.12010

Al·lèrgia; Epidemiologia; Proteïna de transferència de lípids Alergia; Epidemiología; Proteína de transferencia de lípidos Allergy; Epidemiology; Lipid transfer protein Background Discovered and described 40 years ago, non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP) are present in many plant species and play an important role protecting plants from stressors such as heat or drought. In the last 20 years, sensitization to nsLTP and consequent reactions to plant foods has become an increasing concern. Aim The aim of this paper is to review the evidence for the structure and function of nsLTP allergens, and cross-reactivity, sensitization, and epidemiology of nsLTP allergy. Materials and Methods A Task Force, supported by the European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (EAACI), reviewed current evidence and provide a signpost for future research. The search terms for this paper were “Non-specific Lipid Transfer Proteins”, “LTP syndrome”, “Pru p 3”, “plant food allergy”, “pollen-food syndrome”. Results Most nsLTP allergens have a highly conserved structure stabilised by 4-disulphide bridges. Studies on the peach nsLTP, Pru p 3, demonstrate that nsLTPs are very cross-reactive, with the four major IgE epitopes of Pru p 3 being shared by nsLTP from other botanically related fruits. These nsLTP allergens are to varying degrees resistant to heat and digestion, and sensitization may occur through the oral, inhaled or cutaneous routes. In some populations, Pru p 3 is the primary and sole sensitizing allergen, but many are poly-sensitised both to botanically un-related nsLTP in foods, and non-food sources of nsLTP such as Cannabis sativa, Platanus acerifolia, (plane tree), Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) and Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort). Initially, nsLTP sensitization appeared to be limited to Mediterranean countries, however more recent studies suggest clinically relevant sensitization occurs in North Atlantic regions and also countries in Northern Europe, with nsLTP sensitisation profiles being broadly ...