Characterization of Carbohydrate Epitope of Pollen and Wheat Allergens

Abstract

Plant N -linked oligosaccharides of complex type generally possess a characteristic core structure with xylose β-2 linked to β-mannose and fucose a 1-3 linked to N-acetylglucosamine at the reducing end, which rarely found in animals. Such glycans of plant glycoproteins have been found to induce immunogenic responses in animals. This brief report introduces the current knowledge on the structure, antigenicity and allergenicity of plant carbohydrate epitopes (plant glycotopes) obtained from our studies on the allergens of Japanese cedar pollinosis and baker's asthma. It also presents relationship between CCD (cross-reactive carbohydrate determinant) of allergens from common vegetables or fruits and that of the Japanese cedar pollen in this study.