Hev b 2 et Hev b 13, deux allergènes majeurs de l’allergie au latex et du syndrome latex-fruits

Abstract

Among the major latex allergens (Hev b 1, Hev b 2, Hev b 4, Hev b 5, Hev b 6.01, Hev b 6.02, and Hev b 13), Hev b 2 and Hev b 13 have been poorly investigated and, accordingly, their involvement in both latex allergy and latex-fruit syndrome has to be addressed. Both allergens consist of ubiquitous glycoproteins widely distributed in plants, especially in fruits (banana, cherry, kiwi fruit). Hev b 2 consists of an endo-β1,3-glucanase involved in the glucan metabolism during the fruit ripening process. Hev b 13 consists of an esterase also with a metabolic function. Most of the IgE-binding epitopes identified on both allergens occur outside the putative N-glycosylation sites and do not apparently consist of glycotopes. The high prevalence of Hev b 2 and Hev b 13 in latex allergic patients make both allergens useful for improving the diagnosis of latex allergy and latex-fruit syndrome.