Proteins derived from Prunus armeniaca kernel are possible to cause Immunoglobulin E reactivity in human sera

Abstract

Allergic diseases are always caused by protein molecules and in most cases arise in individuals with documented immunologic reactions to foods, pollen, or plant IgE. However, proteins derived from herbal medicine which act as an allergen have not been widely studied. Here, we aim to confirm if the herbal medicine Prunus armeniaca kernel at the proteomic level triggers IgE immunoreactivity. If it does, we can hypothesize what components of protein molecules in the herbal medicine Prunus armeniaca kernel react with and bind to IgE. To test this hypothesis, we utilized proteomic tools and SDS-PAGE stained with Coomassie blue and identified proteins using LC-MS/MS. We also assessed the degree of plasma IgE reactivity in an isolated protein of Prunus armeniaca kernel using western blots of human IgE and an enzyme immunoassay panel, the Allergy-Q test, in 400 human sera. As a result, we found three sera which were positive candidates as Prunus armeniaca kernel IgE binding proteins. The results imply that Prunus armeniaca kernel can act as an allergen given the identification of IgE binding proteins among the isolated proteins of Prunus armeniaca kernel.