Isolation and characterization of cross-reactive allergenic components in Callistemon citrinis and Melaleuca quinquenervia pollen by trans-blot enzyme-linked crossed immunoelectrophoresis.

Abstract

Antigenic extracts obtained from Callistemon citrinis (bottle brush) and Melaleuca quinquenervia (melaleuca) pollen were analyzed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), tandem-crossed immunoelectrophoresis (TCIE), and trans-blot enzyme-linked crossed immunoelectrophoresis (TECIE). CIE analysis detected 14 and 12 antigenic components in bottle brush and melaleuca, respectively. TCIE analysis of bottle brush pollen, employing rabbit anti-melaleuca serum in the intermediate gel, demonstrated that all of the antigenic components detected were cross-reactive. Similar analysis of melaleuca using rabbit anti-bottle brush serum in the intermediate gel also showed that all of the antigenic components were cross-reactive. At least three bottle brush and two melaleuca cross-reactive pollen components were demonstrated to be allergenic by TECIE analysis of CIE and TCIE gels.