Detection of antigens reactive to IgE and IgA during wheat seed maturation and in different wheat cultivars.

BACKGROUND

Dietary intake of wheat causes hypersensitivity reactions in patients suffering from IgE-mediated food allergy and coeliac disease.

AIM: To study the expression of IgE- and IgA-reactive antigens during wheat seed maturation and in different wheat cultivars.

METHODS

Summer wheat was grown in a glasshouse and seeds were harvested at defined maturation stages. Mature seeds were obtained from 13 different defined cultivars. Protein extracts were prepared from different maturation stages and cultivars with a standardized procedure based on seed weight and analysed by IgE and IgA immunoblotting using sera from clinically defined patients suffering from wheat allergy or coeliac disease.

RESULTS

With a few exceptions the expression of IgE- and IgA-reactive wheat antigens increased during wheat seed maturation. Wheat cultivars could be identified in which the expression of certain IgE- and IgA-reactive components was strongly reduced or not detectable.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of IgE- and IgA-reactive antigens depends on wheat seed maturation and varies in different wheat cultivars.