Allergy Asthma Immunol Res.  2013 Sep;5(5):309-314. 10.4168/aair.2013.5.5.309.

The Allergenic Potency of Japanese Hop Pollen Is Increasing With Environmental Changes in Korea

• Jin HJ
• Choi GS
• Shin YS
• Kim JH
• Kim JE
• Ye YM
• Park HS

• KMID: 2260812
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2013.5.5.309

Abstract

PURPOSE
The sensitization rate to Japanese Hop (Hop J) in respiratory allergy patients has increased in recent years in Korea. We evaluated changes in the allergenic potency of Hop J pollen collected in 1998 and 2009.
METHODS
Thirty-five patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma were enrolled. Group I included 21 subjects sensitized to Hop J at an initial visit and group II included 14 subjects who developed a new sensitization. Hop J pollens were collected in 1998 and 2009 (98 and 09 extracts) and both urban and suburban environments (urban and suburban extracts). Serum specific IgE levels to Hop J pollen extracts were compared using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgE binding components were compared by IgE immunoblot analysis.
RESULTS
Serum specific IgE levels to the 09 and urban extracts in both groups increased significantly compared to those of the 98 and suburban extracts. IgE immunoblot demonstrated that the major 10 kDa allergen was intensified in group I, while it was newly generated in group II with additional components ranging from 12-95 kDa. When the 98 and 09 extracts were compared, intensification of the major allergen of 09 extract had occurred in both groups. The IgE binding components of the urban extract was stronger than those of suburban one.
CONCLUSIONS
The allergenic potency of Hop J pollen may be increased with environmental changes.

Keyword

Allergens; environment; Japanese Hop pollen

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Asthma
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Humans
Humulus
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Korea
Pollen
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Allergens
Immunoglobulin E

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Comparison of serum specific IgE levels against four different Hop J pollen extracts, i.e., the 98 and 09 extracts (A), and the urban and suburban extracts (B), in groups I and II subjects using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. P values were determined by a Wilcoxon signed rank test. Horizontal bar indicates the mean value.

• 

  Fig. 2 Changes in specific IgE binding components, as determined by IgE immunoblot, using the 98 and 09 extracts in group I (A) and II (B) subjects. a, 1998 year Hop J pollen extracts; b, 2009 year Hop J pollen extracts.

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  Fig. 3 Changes in specific IgE binding components as determined by immunoblot using the Urban and Suburban extracts in Group I (A) and Group II (B). a, Suburban Hop J pollen extracts; b, Urban Hop J pollen extracts.

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