Thaumatin-Like Protein (Pru av 2) Is a Cherry Allergen That Triggers Percutaneous Sensitization in Mice.

Numerous recent studies have suggested that food allergens enter the skin and predispose individuals to food allergies through the production of IgE antibodies in the body. Cherries are a popular fruit eaten worldwide. However, cherries are an allergenic food and percutaneous sensitization with cherry allergens through the perioral region may occur while ingesting cherries. The identity of the cherry protein that triggers percutaneous sensitization in humans or animal models remains unknown. In this study, the backs of BALB/c mice were shaved and crude cherry extracts containing sodium dodecyl sulfate were applied to the skin. Thereafter, the cherry-specific IgE and IgG1 antibodies generated and secreted in response to the epidermal application were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or immunoblotting. Skin exposure to cherry extracts elevated cherry-specific IgG1 levels. Application of fractionated and purified cherry proteins (antigen candidates for percutaneous sensitization) that bound to the IgG1 antibodies led to the identification of a thaumatin-like protein (Pru av 2). This molecule is known as the major cherry allergen that affects humans. In conclusion, our study identified Pru av 2 as a cherry allergen that triggers percutaneous sensitization in mice for the first time.

[Influence of smoking and abdominal obesity on lung age].

Smoking is the riskiest factor for impairment of pulmonary function. Recent researches have indicated that abdominal obesity is also associated with the impairment. 'Lung age' is a novel index to evaluate respiratory function, and it is calculated from the data of the height, sex, and forced expiratory volume in 1-second. Using 'lung age' as an index, we studied on the relationship of 'lung age' to smoking, waist circumference, BMI, or metabolic syndrome. The study population included 1,681 persons who visited our Medical Checkup Office, and the population consisted of smoker group (n = 279) and non-smoker group (n = 1,402). In both men and women, 'lung age' was significantly higher in the smoker group than in non-smoker group (p < 0.05). In addition, the smoker group and non-smoker group were classified by waist circumference, BMI, and the presence of metabolic syndrome, respectively. As a result, 'lung age' of smoker with abdominal obesity group, smoker with obesity group, and smoker with metabolic syndrome group were significantly high. Furthermore, in multivariate linear regression analysis, we examined relation between 'lung age' and the following factors including gender, smoking, waist circumference, BMI and metabolic syndrome. There was closely related to 'lung age' in order of gender, smoking, metabolic syndrome, and waist circumference. Both smoking and abdominal obesity should be significant risk factors in increasing 'lung age'.