Serum immunoglobulin E and immunoglobulin G reactivity to proteins in mushroom cultivation workers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although molds are regarded as the main fungal allergen sources, evidence indicates that spores of including () can be also found at high concentrations in the environment and may cause as many respiratory allergies as molds. The aim of the present study was to evaluate specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against via immunoblotting technique in individuals working at mushroom cultivation centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 72 workers involved in the cultivation and harvest of button mushrooms were enrolled. For the analysis of serum IgE and IgG, grown in Sabouraud dextrose broth was harvested and ruptured by liquid nitrogen and glass beads. The obtained sample was centrifuged and the supernatant was collected as "crude extract" (CE). CE was separated via Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The separated proteins were transferred to a nitrocellulose filter and the bands responsive to IgE and IgG were identified by anti-human conjugated antibodies. All participants were screened in terms of total IgE level.

RESULTS

Among 72 workers, 18 (25%) had a total IgE level higher than 188 IU/mL. In SDS-PAGE, the CE of showed 23 different protein bands with a molecular weight range of 13-80 kDa. The sera of 23.6% and 55.5% of participants showed positive response, with specific IgE and IgG antibodies against in the blot, respectively. The bands with molecular weights of 62 and 68 kDa were the most reactive protein components of to specific IgE antibodies. Moreover, bands with molecular weights of 57 and 62 kDa showed the highest reactivity to IgG, respectively. Also, 62 and 68 kDa components were the most reactive bands with both specific IgG and IgE antibodies.

CONCLUSION

The obtained findings revealed that has different allergens and antigens, which contribute to its potential as an aeroallergen in hypersensitivity-related reactions of the lungs.