Miguel A G, Cass G R, Weiss J, Glovsky M M
Environmental Engineering Science Department, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125-0001, USA.
Environ Health Perspect. 1996 Nov;104(11):1180-6. doi: 10.1289/ehp.961041180.
The prevalence and severity of latex allergy has increased dramatically in the last 15 years due to exposure to natural rubber products. Although historically this health risk has been elevated in hospital personnel and patients, a recent survey has indicated a significant potential risk for the general population. To obtain a wide-spread source for latex exposure, we have considered tire debris. We have searched for the presence of latex allergens in passenger car and truck tire tread, in debris deposited from the atmosphere near a freeway, and in airborne particulate matter samples representative of the entire year 1993 at two sites in the Los Angeles basin (California). After extraction of the samples with phosphate buffered saline, a modified-ELISA inhibition assay was used to measure relative allergen potency and Western blot analyses were used to identify latex allergens. The inhibition studies with the human IgE latex assay revealed inhibition by the tire tread source samples and ambient freeway dust, as well as by control latex sap and latex glove extracts. Levels of extractable latex allergen per unit of protein extracted were about two orders of magnitude lower for tire tread as compared to latex gloves. Western blot analyses using binding of human IgE from latex-sensitive patients showed a band at 34-36 kDa in all tire and ambient samples. Long Beach and Los Angeles, California, air samples showed four additional bands between 50 and 135 kDa. Alternative Western blot analyses using rabbit IgG raised against latex proteins showed a broad band at 30-50 kDa in all samples, with additional bands in the urban air samples similar to the IgE results. A latex cross-reactive material was identified in mountain cedar. In conclusion, the latex allergens or latex cross-reactive material present in sedimented and airborne particulate material, derived from tire debris, and generated by heavy urban vehicle traffic could be important factors in producing latex allergy and asthma symptoms associated with air pollution particles.
在过去15年中，由于接触天然橡胶产品，乳胶过敏的患病率和严重程度急剧上升。尽管从历史上看，这种健康风险在医院工作人员和患者中有所增加，但最近的一项调查表明，普通人群也面临着重大的潜在风险。为了找到广泛的乳胶暴露源，我们考虑了轮胎碎片。我们在乘用车和卡车轮胎胎面、高速公路附近大气中沉积的碎片以及加利福尼亚州洛杉矶盆地两个地点代表1993年全年的空气颗粒物样本中寻找乳胶过敏原。在用磷酸盐缓冲盐水提取样本后，使用改良的ELISA抑制试验来测量相对过敏原效力，并使用蛋白质印迹分析来鉴定乳胶过敏原。用人IgE乳胶试验进行的抑制研究表明，轮胎胎面源样本、高速公路周围环境灰尘以及对照乳胶汁液和乳胶手套提取物均有抑制作用。与乳胶手套相比，每单位提取蛋白质中可提取乳胶过敏原的水平在轮胎胎面中要低大约两个数量级。使用乳胶敏感患者的人IgE结合进行的蛋白质印迹分析显示，在所有轮胎和环境样本中均有一条34 - 36 kDa的条带。加利福尼亚州长滩和洛杉矶的空气样本在50至135 kDa之间还显示出另外四条条带。使用针对乳胶蛋白产生的兔IgG进行的替代蛋白质印迹分析显示，所有样本中均有一条30 - 50 kDa的宽带，城市空气样本中的其他条带与IgE结果相似。在山地雪松中鉴定出一种乳胶交叉反应性物质。总之，存在于沉积和空气中颗粒物中的乳胶过敏原或乳胶交叉反应性物质，源自轮胎碎片，由城市重型车辆交通产生，可能是导致与空气污染颗粒相关的乳胶过敏和哮喘症状的重要因素。
