Identification of IgE- binding pollen protein from Cannabis sativa in pollen-hypersensitive patients from north Pakistan

Cannabis sativa [C.sativa] is well-known for its medicinal, industrial and recreational use. However, allergies in relation to Cannabis sativa [C.sativa] are rarely reported. C. sativa is one of the common weeds found in Pakistan and its pollen grains are common in spring and fall season. Although categorized as an aeroallergen, there are limited number of reports regarding allergenic potential in C. sativa. Therefore, the current study is aimed at exploring the IgE- binding potential among the C.sativa pollen in local pollen allergic patients. Initial screening of C. sativa sensitized individuals was carried out by dot blot from the sera of pollen allergic patients. Proteins from the pollen grains were extracted and resolved on 10% gel. Eight bands were visible on gel however only one protein fragment i.e. of 14KDa size was found to bind to IgE as analyzed through protein gel blot analysis. Strong IgE affinity of a 14 kDa protein fragment from C. sativa pollen extract suggests its allergenic potential. Further study is required to find the exact nature of this protein fragment

Sequence analysis of PreS2 region of hepatitis B virus genotype D isolates

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] is a well known agent of liver diseases. HBV disease burden varies across the globe with regions from low to high endemicity. Pakistan lies in the intermediate endemic zone, with high rate of mortality due to liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is a wide range of heterogeneity in relation to HBV genotypes and sub- genotypes and in their patterns of pathogenesis virulence and response to antiviral therapy. A large number of HBV genomic variations are associated with clinical outcomes such as hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis. Thus, the present study aims to analyze PreS2 gene sequence from HBV isolates and their phylogeny. To investigate this, a study was conducted on twenty one HBV chronically infected individuals, serum samples were subjected to PCR with specific primers for PreS2 region of HBV genotype D and then sequenced. Point mutations: A39V, P41H and L42I were found in cell permeability domain of PreS2 protein. However, MHC class I and II epitopes were conserved in all sequences. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out by comparing the nucleotide sequence with 22 reference sequences of HBV sub- genotype D retrieved from the GeneBank. Phylogenetic analysis showed that two of our isolates, ASAB1[2266] and ASB3[PIMS 7] shared cluster 1 with China D1, Pakistan D1, Iran D1, and Turkey D1. Meanwhile, ASAB2 [HF2] was grouped in cluster 2 with Lebanese D2 and Brazil D2