Emerging Allergens in Goji Berry Superfruit: The Identification of New IgE Binding Proteins towards Allergic Patients' Sera.

The goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) (GB) is gaining increasing attention with high consumption worldwide due to its exceptional nutritional value and medicinal benefits displayed in humans. Beyond their beneficial properties, GBs contain renowned allergenic proteins, and therefore deserve inclusion among the allergenic foods capable of inducing allergic reactions in sensitive consumers. GB allergy has been frequently linked to the panallergen lipid transfer protein (LTP), especially across the population of the Mediterranean area. Methods: In this study, we investigated the protein profile of GBs focusing on the most reactive proteins against immunoglobulins E (IgE) of allergic patients' sera, as ascertained by immunoblot experiments. The protein spots displaying a clear reaction were excised, in-gel digested, and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) followed by data searching against a restricted database for a reliable protein identification. Results: According to our data, three main spots were identified in GB extract as IgE binding proteins after immunoblot analysis. Some major proteins were identified and the three proteins that provided the highest reactivity were putatively attributed to vicilin and legumin proteins followed by a protein matching with 11S globulin belonging to the cupin superfamily. Finally, the whole GB protein extract was also submitted to bottom-up proteomics followed by a software-based database (DB) screening and a more exhaustive list of GB proteins was compiled.

Protective effect of polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum on spermatogenesis of mice with impaired reproduction system induced by cyclophosphamide.

PROBLEM: Lycium barbarum (L. barbarum) polysaccharides (LBPs) are the main bioactive component. However, effect of LBP on spermatogenesis of mice with impaired reproduction system induced by cyclophosphamide is undetermined. METHOD OF STUDY: This study aims to investigate the effect of LBP on spermatogenesis of rats with impaired reproduction system induced by cyclophosphamide. Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups as follows: normal control group, model group (treated with cyclophosphamide) and three LBP groups (treated with cyclophosphamide and 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg LBPs, respectively). RESULTS: Results indicate that LBP treatment improved sperm density, sperm movement, the rate of normal sperm morphology, and protein expression and superoxide dismutase activity in the testes of the mice and decreased the nitrate nitrogen level in the testes of the mice. CONCLUSION: LBPs have obviously protective effect on the spermatogenesis of rats with impaired reproduction system induced by cyclophosphamide.

Recently introduced foods as new allergenic sources: sensitisation to Goji berries (Lycium barbarum).

Goji berries (GB) have been introduced in Western diet. Preliminary reports have demonstrated its allergenic capacity. The objectives of the study were to investigate the frequency of sensitisation and the allergens involved. 566 individuals, with respiratory or cutaneous symptoms were skin-prick tested with GB extract. Thirty three were positive (5.8%). 94% were sensitised to other allergens. Specific IgE to GB, peach, tomato and nut-mix was measured. Thirteen individuals from 24 available sera (54.2%) had positive specific IgE. 92.3% of GB positive patients were positive to peach. Seven individuals recognised 8 bands and six recognised a 7kDa band. This band was identified as a LTP by MS/MS. Cross-reactivity was demonstrated with tomato, tobacco, nutmix, Artemisia pollen and purified Lyc e 3 and Pru p 3. GB are a new allergenic source with high prevalence of sensitisation. LTP seems to be the major allergen involved in sensitisation and cross-reactivity.

Goji berries (Lycium barbarum): risk of allergic reactions in individuals with food allergy.

BACKGROUND: New foods are frequently introduced in Western diets for their healthy properties; however, they may produce adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: After attending a patient who experienced an allergic reaction to Goji berries, we evaluated the allergenic potential of this food in plant food-allergic individuals, a group that is considered to be at high risk of experiencing a reaction. METHODS: We recruited 30 additional plant food-allergic individuals in Spain during 3 months in 2010. Four patients reported symptoms on intake, 6 tolerated the berries, and 20 had never tried Goji berries. Patients underwent skin prick tests with Goji berries, as well as with peach peel and plant food panallergens as markers of cross-reactivity between unrelated foods. We carried out in vitro tests in symptomatic patients. RESULTS: Skin tests to Goji berries were positive in 24 patients (77%): 5 symptomatic patients and 19 asymptomatic patients. Positivity to Goji berries was associated with positivity to peach peel and to the panallergen nonspecific lipid transfer protein (LTP). Nearly half of the patients reported symptoms (45%), but 89% of the skin test-positive patients had never eaten Goji berries. We detected specific immunoglobulin E to Goji berries in all cases, and several individuals recognized 2 protein bands in the immunoblot. Addition of LTP to sera mostly inhibited immunoglobulin E binding to an LTP-like band, suggesting a role for this panallergen in sensitization to Goji berries. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the allergenic potential of Goji berries in high-risk individuals, which is probably due to cross-reactivity with LTP from other foods. The risks of Goji berries should be taken into consideration in individuals with food allergy, especially those who are allergic to LTP.

Anaphylaxis associated with the ingestion of Goji berries (Lycium barbarum).

Goji berry (wolfberry), a member of the Solanacea family, has been recently introduced in Western countries and its consumption has increased rapidly. The objectives of the study were to describe the cases of 2 patients who experienced allergic symptoms after Goji berry consumption, to identify the protein profile of the extract, to analyze the allergenic profile of individuals, and to determine cross-reactivity with other members of the Solanaceae family (tomato). We describe 2 cases of allergic reaction, 1 of which was an anaphylactic reaction, after Goji berry ingestion. A Goji berry extract was manufactured and immunochemically characterized. The patients were skin prick tested with a battery of common aeroallergens including mites, epithelia, and molds. Individuals were also skin prick tested with food allergens, including Goji berries. A positive skin prick test and specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E to Goji berry was detected in both cases. Serum samples recognized a 9-kDa band, probably related to lipid transfer proteins (LTPs). Cross-reactivity with tomato was analyzed by inhibition studies, which showed that the 9-kDa band was totally inhibited by the tomato extract. This study describes the first 2 cases of allergic reaction following Goji berry ingestion. LTPs seem to be involved in allergic sensitization to Goji berries, as evidenced by cross-reactivity with tomato.

Intake of a milk-based wolfberry formulation enhances the immune response of young-adult and aged mice.

Aging is associated with alterations of immune responses. Wolfberry, a popular Chinese functional ingredient, is prized for its anti-aging properties; however, little is known about the immunological effect of wolfberry intake. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of dietary intake of a milk-based formulation of wolfberry, named Lacto-Wolfberry, on in vivo and ex vivo parameters of adaptive immunity in young-adult and aged mice. Over 44 days, young-adult (2 months) and aged (21 months) C57BL/6J mice were fed ad libitum with a controlled diet and received drinking water supplemented or not with 0.5% (wt/vol) Lacto-Wolfberry. All mice were immunized on day 15 and challenged on day 22 with a T cell- dependent antigen, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Lacto-Wolfberry supplementation significantly increased in vivo systemic immune markers that are known to decline with aging. Indeed, both antigen-(KLH) specific humoral response and cell-mediated immune responses in young-adult and aged mice were enhanced when compared to their respective controls. No significant effect of Lacto-Wolfberry supplementation was observed on ex vivo spleen cells proliferative response to mitogens and on splenocyte T cell subsets. In conclusion, dietary intake of Lacto-Wolfberry may favorably modulate the poor responsiveness to antigenic challenge observed with aging.

Polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium barbarum L. is a novel stimulus of dendritic cell immunogenicity.

Dendritic cell (DC) immunogenicity correlates with its maturation, which can be induced by toxic microbial products such as LPS. In this study, we report that a nontoxic polysaccharide-protein complex isolated from a Chinese medicinal herb, Lycium barbarum (LBP), induces phenotypic and functional maturation of DCs with strong immunogenicity. LBP up-regulated DC expression of CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC class II molecules; down-regulated DC uptake of Ag; enhanced DC allostimulatory activity; and induced IL-12p40 and p70 production. All of its five fractions were active. LBP developed enhanced Th1 response, and LBP-treated DCs enhanced Th1 and Th2 responses in vitro and in vivo. Our study provides evidence and rationale on using LBP in various clinical conditions to enhance host immunity and suggests LBP as a potent adjuvant for the design of DC-based vaccines.