Allergenic Pollen Calendar in Korea Based on Probability Distribution Models and Up-to-Date Observations

PURPOSE: The pollen calendar is the simplest forecasting method for pollen concentrations. As pollen concentrations are liable to seasonal variations due to alterations in climate and land-use, it is necessary to update the pollen calendar using recent data. To attenuate the impact of considerable temporal and spatial variability in pollen concentrations on the pollen calendar, it is essential to employ a new methodology for its creation.METHODS: A pollen calendar was produced in Korea using data from recent observations, and a new method for creating the calendar was proposed, considering both risk levels and temporal resolution of pollen concentrations. A probability distribution was used for smoothing concentrations and determining risk levels. Airborne pollen grains were collected between 2007 and 2017 at 8 stations; 13 allergenic pollens, including those of alder, Japanese cedar, birch, hazelnut, oak, elm, pine, ginkgo, chestnut, grasses, ragweed, mugwort and Japanese hop, were identified from the collected grains.RESULTS: The concentrations of each pollen depend on locations and seasons due to large variability in species distribution and their environmental condition. In the descending order of concentration, pine, oak and Japanese hop pollens were found to be the most common in Korea. The pollen concentrations were high in spring and autumn, and those of oak and Japanese hop were probably the most common cause of allergy symptoms in spring and autumn, respectively. High Japanese cedar pollen counts were observed in Jeju, while moderate concentrations were in Jeonju, Gwangju and Busan.CONCLUSIONS: A new methodology for the creation of a pollen calendar was developed to attenuate the impact of large temporal and spatial variability in pollen concentrations. This revised calendar should be available to the public and allergic patients to prevent aggravation of pollen allergy.

Mugwort Pollen-Related Food Allergy: Lipid Transfer Protein Sensitization and Correlation With the Severity of Allergic Reactions in a Chinese Population

PURPOSE: Little is known about the importance of lipid transfer protein (LTP) sensitization in China. In this study, we investigated the relationship between LTP sensitization and the severity of clinical symptoms in a population of patients with mugwort pollen-related food allergy. METHODS: Food-induced symptoms were evaluated in 148 patients with mugwort pollen allergy by a standardized questionnaire. Specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) to Art v 1, Art v 3, Pru p 3, Ara h 9 and Cor a 8 were quantified by ImmunoCAP. Immunoblotting of peach extracts were performed with sera from peach-allergic patients. RESULTS: In total, 72% (107/148) of the study population experienced food allergy. Forty-eight percent (51/107) of patients with mugwort pollen-related food allergy experienced at least 1 episode of food-induced anaphylaxis. Food allergy correlated with IgE reactivity to Art v 3, but not to Art v 1. Sensitization to Pru p 3, Ara h 9 or Cor a 8 was prevalent (80%, 69 or 63%, respectively) among individuals with food allergy. Food allergic patients with systemic reactions (SR) had higher values for Pru p 3, Ara h 9 and Cor a 8 than patients with oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Furthermore, the strong IgE reactivity detected in immunoblots of peach extracts indicated that Pru p 3 was the major allergen and was more prevalent in patients with SR than in patients with OAS (100% vs. 55%). CONCLUSIONS: LTPs are major food allergens for mugwort pollen-related food allergy in China, and may contribute to SR.

Changes in basophil activation during immunotherapy with house dust mite and mugwort in patients with allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: The basophil activation test (BAT) is a promising tool for monitoring allergen-specific immunotherapy responses. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the changes in basophil activation in response to the inhalant allergens of house dust mite (HDM) and mugwort pollen during immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis. METHODS: We enrolled patients with allergic rhinitis who were to receive subcutaneous immunotherapy for the inhalant allergens HDM or mugwort. A BAT was performed to assess CD63 upregulation in response to allergen stimulation using peripheral blood collected from the patients prior to immunotherapy and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after beginning immunotherapy. Rhinitis symptoms were evaluated using the rhinitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) at 1-year intervals. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (10 with HDM sensitivity, 3 with mugwort sensitivity, and 4 with sensitivity to both HDM and mugwort) were enrolled in the study. Basophil reactivity to HDM did not change significantly during 24 months of immunotherapy. However, a significant reduction in basophil reactivity to mugwort was observed at 24-month follow-up. There was no significant association between the change in clinical symptoms by RQLQ and the change in basophil reactivity to either allergen. The change in allergen-specific basophil reactivity to HDM was well correlated with the change in nonspecific basophil activation induced by anti-FcεRI antibody, although basophil reactivity to anti-FcεRI antibody was not significantly reduced during immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: Suppression of CD63 upregulation in the BAT was only observed with mugwort at 2-year follow-up. However, the basophil response did not reflect the clinical response to immunotherapy.

Amelioration of metabolic disturbances and adipokine dysregulation by mugwort (Artemisia princeps P.) extract in high-fat diet-induced obese rats / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Dysregulation of adipokines caused by excess adipose tissue has been implicated in the development of obesity-related metabolic diseases. This study evaluated the effects of mugwort (Artemisia princeps Pampanini) ethanol extract on lipid metabolic changes, insulin resistance, adipokine balance, and body fat reduction in obese rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control diet (NC), high-fat diet (HF, 40% kcal from fat), or high-fat diet with 1% mugwort extract (HFM) for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Epididymal and retroperitoneal fat mass increased in the HF group compared with the NC group, and epididymal fat mass was reduced in the HFM group (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) among the groups. However, triglyceride (TG), TG/HDL-C ratio, and TC/HDL-C ratio increased in the HF group and significantly decreased in the HFM group. TG and TC levels in the liver were significantly higher in the HF group, whereas these levels were significantly reduced in the HFM group. HF rats had lower insulin sensitivity as indicated by increased homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value. HOMA-IR values significantly decreased in the HFM group. Adiponectin levels were higher in NC rats, and their leptin and PAI-1 levels were lower. Relative balance of adipokines was reversed in the HF group, with lower adiponectin levels but higher leptin and PAI-1 levels. In contrast, the HFM group maintained balance of adiponectin/leptin and adiponectin/PAI-1 levels similar to NC by reducing leptin and PAI-1 levels. CONCLUSION: Overall data indicated that mugwort extract can be effective in alleviating metabolic dislipidemia, insulin resistance, and adipokine dysregulation induced by a high-fat diet.

Standardization of Weed Pollen Extracts, Japanese Hop and Mugwort, in Korea

PURPOSE: Japanese hop (Humulus spp.) and mugwort (Artemisia spp.) are notable causes of autumn pollinosis in East Asia. However, Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts, which are widely used for the diagnosis, have not been standardized. This study was performed to standardize Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Allergen extracts were prepared in a standardized way using locally collected Humulus japonicus and purchased Artemisia vulgaris pollens. The immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivities of prepared extracts were compared with commercial extracts via IgE immunoblotting and inhibition analyses. Intradermal skin tests were performed to determine the bioequivalent allergy unit (BAU). RESULTS: The IgE reactive components of the extracts via IgE immunoblotting were similar to those of commercial extracts. A 11-kDa allergen showed the strongest IgE reactivity in Japanese hop, as did a 28-kDa allergen in mugwort pollen extracts. Allergenic potencies of the investigatory Japanese hop and mugwort extracts were essentially indistinguishable from the commercial ones. Sums of erythema of 50 mm by the intradermal skin test (SigmaED50) were calculated to be 14.4th and 13.6th three-fold dilutions for Japanese hop and mugwort extracts, respectively. Therefore, the allergenic activity of the prepared extracts was 90827.4 BAU/mg for Japanese hop and 34412 BAU/mg for mugwort. CONCLUSION: We produced Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts using a standardized method. Standardized Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts will facilitate the production of improved diagnostic and immunotherapeutic reagents.

Mimotopes for Api g 5, a Relevant Cross-reactive Allergen, in the Celery-Mugwort-Birch-Spice Syndrome

PURPOSE: In the celery-mugwort-birch-spice syndrome, a significant proportion of IgE is directed against high molecular weight (HMW) glycoproteins, including the celery allergen Api g 5. BIP3, a monoclonal antibody originally raised against birch pollen, recognizes HMW allergens in birch and mugwort pollens, celery, and Apiaceae spices. Our aim was to generate mimotopes using BIP3 for immunization against the HMW allergens relevant in the celery-mugwort-birch-spice cross reactivity syndrome. METHODS: Mimotopes were selected from a random-peptide display library by BIP3 and applied in IgE inhibition assays. The 3 phage clones with the highest inhibitory capacity were chosen for immunization of BALB/c mice. Mouse immune sera were tested for IgG binding to blotted birch pollen extract and used for inhibiting patients' IgE binding. Furthermore, sera were tested for binding to Api g 5, to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a second glycoprotein, or to non-glycosylated control allergen Phl p 5 in ELISA, and the specific Api g 5-specific IgG titers were determined. RESULTS: Three rounds of biopanning resulted in phage clones exhibiting 7 different sequences including 1 dominant, 1-6-cyclo-CHKLRCDKAIA. Three phage clones had the capacity to inhibit human IgE binding and induced IgG to the HMW antigen when used for immunizing BALB/c mice. The induced BIP3-mimotope IgG reached titers of 1:500 specifically to Api g 5, but hardly reacted to glycoprotein HRP, revealing a minor role of carbohydrates in their epitope. CONCLUSIONS: The mimotopes characterized in this study mimic the epitope of BIP3 relevant for Api g 5, one of the cross-reactive HMW allergens relevant in the celery-mugwort-birch-spice syndrome. BIP3 mimotopes may be used in the future for hyposensitization in this clinical syndrome by virtue of good and specific immunogenicity.

Oral allergy syndrome associated with weed pollinosis

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is caused by cross-reactivity between certain pollens and plant foods, including vegetables, nuts, or fruits. Here, we experienced 2 cases of OAS patients associated with mugwort pollinosis without sensitization to Fagales. A 54-year-old female repeatedly experienced skin rashes, perioral edema, nasal obstruction after eating fresh vegetables (celery, lettuce, chicory, radish sprouts, ginseng, etc.). She had suffered from allergic rhinitis worsening in autumn for 5 years. Specific IgE (sIgE) titers to ragweed and mugwort were elevated to 54.1 and 24.9 kU/L, respectively. With regard to the allergen component of pollens, sIgE to Art v 1 (mugwort) and Amb a 1 (ragweed) were elevated to 21.9 and 36.1 kU/L, respectively. Birch sIgE (including Bet v 1 and Bet v 2) was not detected. A 35-year-old male suffered from abdominal pain, skin rashes after eating mango and kiwi. In addition, systemic allergic reaction developed after consumption of tomato and ginseng. He had chronic rhinitis. The sIgE levels to ragweed, mugwort, and tomato were elevated to 0.55, 6.39, and 0.78 kU/L, respectively. The sIgE test results were all negative for Amb a 1, Bet v 1, and Bet v 2 sIgE. Specific IgE levels to Art v 1, Art v 2 sIgE were 3.51 and 4.46 kU/L, respectively. Based on the history and sIgE test results, 2 cases OAS were related to mugwort. We experienced 2 cases of weed pollinosis related to OAS. Culprit foods of OAS can vary depending on their cuisine cultures.

The study of allergen of mare’s milk, airag and mugwort pollen / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

BACKGROUND: Mugwort is the important source of fall allergic symptoms in the Mongolia. Mugwort pollen allergicpatients frequently present allergic symptoms of ingestion after several kinds of foods.OBJECTIVE: We sought to study the clinical manifestations of airag (fermented mare’s milk) and mare’s milkhypersensitivity in patients with mugwort allergy, identify the molecular weight of allergens, andevaluate their IgE cross-reactivity.MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collected to mugwort pollens from around UB in august and practiced fresh airag and mare’s milk.Airag, mare’s milk and mugwort extracts prepared by Hames Richmond method and their allergenswere identified by means of SDS-PAGE. ELISA inhibition experiments were done to study crossreactivitybetween airag and mugwort.RESULTS: In SDS-PAGE determined mugwort allergen 12-43 kDa, mare’s milk allergen 13-70 kDa, airag allergen12-68 kDamolecular weight.The study of the cross-reactivity between mugwort allergens and some food allergens was becamepractical significance on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of respiratory allergies. We were definedallergenic cross-reactivity between airag allergens and mugwort allergens which are common causesof upper respiratory allergy. On the Mugwort-ELISA inhibition test, the 50 % inhibitory dose to MugwortspecificIgE was 0.01μg/ml Mugwort allergens and 0.025μg/ml Airag allergens.However, the 1.0 μg/mlof Mugwort and Airag allergens were completely inhibited to Mugwort-specific IgE and Airag-specificIgE antibodies.CONCLUSION: In determined the mugwort pollen has 5 band(12, 23, 28, 38, 43kDa), in mare’s milk (13, 15, 60, 70кДа) and airag(12, 30, 50, 68 кДа) has separately 4 bands allergen protein by SDS-PAGE. ELISAinhibition study was strong cross-reactivity between airag allergen and mugwort allergen.

A Case of Moxibustion-induced Keloid / 대한피부과학회지

A 45-year-old woman presented with keloidal nodules induced by moxibustion, which is made from mugwort powder. Keloids are benign hyperproliferative tumors of dermal connective tissue which usually result from excessive responses to cutaneous trauma in predisposed individuals. The lesions tend to occur on the upper part of the body as firm, raised tumors with a glassy surface and well demarcated borders. There are several available methods of treatment including intralesional corticosteroid injection, cryotherapy, surgical excision, laser therapy, pressure, radiotherapy and interferon-alpha injection. We report a case of a moxibustion-induced keloid in a 45-year-old female patient, who presented with multiple, round-shaped, erythematous to skin-colored, firm, cicatricial nodules on the moxibustion-applied sites.

Are there any links between mugwort pollen and food allergens such as celery and carrot based upon allergy skin prick tests? / 천식및알레르기

Background and objectives: Mugwort pollen is one of the major causative allergens in this country. There have been a few reports suggesting a significant association between mugwort pollen and food allergens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the allergenic relationship between mugwort pollen and food allergens based upon skin prick tests. Material and method: Of 2,909 allergy patients who had been skin tested to identify causative allergens at the Allergy Clinic of Ajou University Hospital, 471 patients sensitized to mugwort, ragweed, or Hop Japanese pollens on skin prick test (2+ of A/H ratio) were enrolled for this study. Positive rates to common inhalant or food allergens and their allergenic relationships with other pollens or food allergens were analyzed based upon skin prick test results. RESULTS: The positive rates (2+ of A/H) to nettle, rye grass, Bermuda grass, birch, and alder pollens were significantly higher in those sensitized to mugwort pollen than in those of negative responders (p<0.05, respectively). In regard to food allergens, positive rates to celery (15.3%) and carrot (14.5%) were significantly higher in patients sensitized to mugwort pollen (p<0.05, respectively). Significant association was noted between mugwort pollen and celery allergen (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Positive response to mugwort pollen can be associated with celery and carrot sensitivity on skin prick tests.

Antigenic relationship between mugwort and ragweed pollens by crossed immunoelectrophoresis

Mugwort and ragweed pollens have been considered as important respiratory allergens in Korea. These two pollens are abundant in the air of Seoul from August through October. Many ragweed-sensitive patients have shown concurrent sensitivities to mugwort pollen. However the antigenic relationship between these two pollens has not been clarified. To observe the cross-reactivity between them, we developed polyclonal anti-mugwort and anti-ragweed antibodies by immunization on New Zealand white rabbits, and performed crossed immunoelectrophoresis(CIE) with two pollen extracts. Five precipitation lines were formed by mugwort and anti-mugwort antibody. One precipitation line was formed by ragweed and anti-ragweed antibody. There was no reaction from mugwort and anti-ragweed antibody, and from ragweed and anti-mugwort antibody. These results indicate that there is no cross-antigenicity between mugwort and ragweed pollens.

Immunoelectron-microscopic localization of IgE binding site of mugwort pollen

To elucidate the IgE binding site of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris r.) pollen, pollen grains were frozen and fixed using a cryocut. They were incubated with antibodies according to the following sequence: Sera pool of individuals who showed mugwort-RAST class 3 or 4, biotin-labeled goat anti-human IgE antibody, streptavidin-peroxidase and diaminobenzidine. Then, they were observed under electron microscopy. The control section was incubated with the sera pool from individuals who showed a negative result on a skin prick test to mugwort pollen. Antigenic activity (electrondense line) was noted on the surface of the exine. There was no activity in cytoplasm or the intine layer. The control section was completely free of activity. It was suggested that the IgE binding site of mugwort pollen was present on the surface of the exine.