Effects of atmospheric pollutants (CO, O₃, SO₂) on the allergenicity of Betula pendula, Ostrya carpinifolia, and Carpinus betulus pollen

Abstract

Pollen of Betula pendula, Ostrya carpinifolia, and Carpinus betulus was exposed in vitro to relatively low levels of the air pollutants, namely carbon monoxide, ozone, and sulfur dioxide. The allergenicity of the exposed pollen was compared with that of non-exposed pollen samples to assess if air pollution exposition affects the allergenicity potential of pollen. The immunodetection assays indicated higher IgE recognition by all sera of allergic patients to the pollen protein extracts in all exposed samples in comparison to the non-exposed samples. These results show that the pollen exposition to low pollutants’ levels induces increased allergic reaction to sensitized individuals.

Keywords:

• allergic sensitization
• pollen allergy
• Betula pendula pollen
• Ostrya carpinifolia pollen
• Carpinus betulus pollen
• air pollutants

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by FEDER funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness Factors (COMPETE) and National funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology in the Project “Effects of atmospheric non-biological pollutants on pollen grains” (Refª PTDC/AACAMB/102796/2008), PEst-OE/CTE/UI0039/2011-UI39 and Project PEst-C/QUI/UI0081/2013.