Proof of concept pilot study: prevalence of grass virus infection and the potential for effects on the allergenic potency of pollen

Pallett, Denise W.; Soh, Emily; Edwards, Mary-Lou; Bodey, Kathleen; Lau, Laurie C.K.; Cooper, J. Ian; Howarth, Peter H.; Walls, Andrew F.; Wang, Hui. 2009 Proof of concept pilot study: prevalence of grass virus infection and the potential for effects on the allergenic potency of pollen. Environmental Health, 8 (Suppl. 1), S10. 10.1186/1476-069X-8-S1-S10

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Abstract/Summary

Background: Wild plants harbour a variety of viruses and these have the potential to alter the composition of pollen. The potential consequences of virus infection of grasses on pollen-induced allergic disease are not known. Methods: We have collected pollen from Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot; a grass species implicated as a trigger of allergic rhino-conjunctivitis) from Wytham Wood, Oxfordshire UK. Extracts were prepared from pollen from uninfected grass, and from grass naturally infected by the Cocksfoot streak potyvirus (CSV). Preparations of pollen from virus-infected and non-infected grasses were employed in skin testing 15 grass pollen-allergic subjects with hayfever. Allergen profiles of extracts were investigated by Western blotting for IgE with sera from allergic subjects. Results: The prevalence of CSV infection in cocksfoot grasses sampled from the study site varied significantly over an eight-year period, but infection rates of up to 70% were detected. Virus infection was associated with small alterations in the quantities of pollen proteins detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and in the patterns of allergens identified by Western blotting with IgE from grass pollen allergic subjects. For individual subjects there were differences in potencies of standardised extracts of pollen from virus-free and virus-infected plants as assessed by skin testing, though a consistent pattern was not established for the group of 15 subjects. Conclusion: Infection rates for CSV in cocksfoot grass can be high, though variable. Virus-induced alterations in components of grass pollen have the potential to alter the allergenic potency.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1186/1476-069X-8-S1-S10
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 1 - Observations, Patterns, and Predictions for Biodiversity CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 2 - Ecological Processes in the Environment
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Hails UKCEH Fellows
ISSN:	1476-069X
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Environmental Health is an Open Access journal. Access to the full text is via the OFFICIAL URL link
NORA Subject Terms:	Biology and Microbiology
Date made live:	23 Sep 2010 11:59 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/10949

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