Allergens from Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Abstract

There has been unjustified neglect of dicotyledonous (dicot; ‘weed’) pollens in research directed at isolating pure allergens, since dicot pollens are widespread and frequently important in provoking immediate allergic reactions. Sera from patients who showed positive skin prick test reactions to plantain pollen generally also reacted in the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) with at least one other species of dicot pollen. Fractionation of plantain pollen extracts by ultrafiltration and molecular sieving and examination of the fractions by the RAST revealed a spread of allergenic activity. Using crossed immunoelectrophoresis, at least 16 different antigens were detected in plantain pollen and at least 6 of these antigens may be allergenic. Allergenic glycoproteins that react with concanavalin A were isolated and their complexity examined by electrophoresis and electro-focusing. IgE-binding components were found widely distributed in plantain plants and not confined to the pollen.