Ara h 2 cross-linking catalyzed by MTGase decreases its allergenicity

Food Funct. 2017 Mar 22;8(3):1195-1203. doi: 10.1039/c6fo01365a.

Abstract

Peanuts, whose major allergen is Ara h 2, are included among the eight major food allergens. After reduction using dithiothreitol (DTT), cross-linking of Ara h 2 could be catalyzed by microbial transglutaminase (MTGase), a widely used enzyme in the food industry. In this study, Ara h 2 cross-linking was catalyzed by MTGase after it was reduced by DTT. Using mass spectrometry and PLINK software, five cross-linkers were identified, and five linear allergen epitopes were found to be involved in the reactions. The IgE binding capacity of cross-linked Ara h 2 was found to be significantly lower compared to that of native and reduced Ara h 2. After simulated gastric fluid (SGF) digestion, the digested products of the cross-linked Ara h 2, again, had a significantly lower IgE binding capacity compared to untreated and reduced Ara h 2. Furthermore, reduced and cross-linked Ara h 2 (RC-Ara h 2) induced lower sensitization in mice, indicating its lower allergenicity. Reduction and MTGase-catalyzed cross-linking are effective methods to decrease the allergenicity of Ara h 2. The reactions involved linear allergen epitopes destroying the material basis of the allergenicity, and this might develop a new direction for protein desensitization processes.

MeSH terms

  • 2S Albumins, Plant / chemistry*
  • 2S Albumins, Plant / immunology*
  • Allergens / chemistry
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Plant / chemistry*
  • Antigens, Plant / immunology*
  • Arachis
  • Biocatalysis
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Dithiothreitol / chemistry
  • Female
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Transglutaminases / chemistry*

Substances

  • 2S Albumins, Plant
  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Plant
  • Ara h 2 allergen, Arachis hypogaea
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Glycoproteins
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Transglutaminases
  • Dithiothreitol