Absence of cross-reactivity of IgE antibodies from subjects allergic to Hevea brasiliensis latex with a new source of natural rubber latex from guayule (Parthenium argentatum),☆☆,,★★

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Abstract

Background: Natural rubber latex sensitization is caused by proteins from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis, the Brazilian rubber tree. Alternative non-cross-reactive latex rubber sources are needed for the manufacture of nonallergenic medical devices (e.g., catheters) that require elasticity, which is not currently provided by synthetic materials. Methods: We have studied the ability of IgE antibodies from subjects allergic to Hevea latex and IgG antibodies from hyperimmunized mice to detect proteins derived from guayule (Parthenium argentatum), an alternative rubber source, using a direct binding and competitive inhibition RAST and Western blot analysis. Results: IgE antibodies from 62 subjects allergic to Hevea latex (46 adults and 16 children with spina bifida) and from serum pools of adults allergic to Hevea latex (n = 183), pediatric patients (n = 101), and patients with spina bifida (n = 53), as well as IgG antibodies from hyperimmunized mice, were unable to detect any proteins in guayule by RAST or Western blot analysis. No competitive inhibition of IgE anti-Hevea binding to Hevea solid phase was detected by the preincubation of sera from subjects allergic to Hevea latex with soluble guayule latex before RAST analysis. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that proteins in guayule latex are not cross-reactive with Hevea latex allergens. Devices that require the elasticity provided by rubber may be manufactured with guayule latex as an alternative rubber source for patients with Hevea latex allergy. (J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL 1996;98:895-902.)

Section snippets

Hevea latex

First, Hevea latex was obtained from two sources. J. R. Bugansky, a senior botanist in the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., provided nonammoniated latex (NAL) from clones PB260 and GYT577 of H. brasiliensis trees from a plantation in Sumatra. After tapping of the trees, the latex was mixed with two volumes of stabilization buffer (0.1 mol/L NaHCO3, 50% glycerol, 0.3% [wt/vol] sodium azide, and 5 mmol/L cysteine) and transported at ambient temperature to Albany, California, where it was stored at

RESULTS

In the development phase of the IgE anti-guayule latex assay, the guayule protein sorbent was shown to contain bound guayule protein by the binding of the hyperimmunized mouse polyclonal IgG anti-guayule antibodies. A first indication of an absence of cross-reactivity was the observation that guayule latex proteins preincubated with the IgE anti-Hevea latex reference serum produced no competitive inhibition of human IgE anti-Hevea latex binding to the Hevea sorbent. Also, Hevea latex

DISCUSSION

Sensitization to Hevea latex has occurred in children who receive multiple exposures during surgery and in occupationally exposed adults.1, 16, 17 At present, the only mode of treatment is avoidance of direct contact and exposure to airborne latex allergens (found on cornstarch donning powder). For health care workers, this means the personal use of synthetic examination and surgical gloves and the use of powder-free latex or synthetic gloves by coworkers. For individuals sensitized to Hevea

Acknowledgements

We thank Wayne Coates for assistance and advice in large-scale guayule latex production.

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    From aUnited States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, Albany; and b The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.

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    Supported in part by National Institutes of Health grant U01-AI-31867 and by United States Department of Agriculture–Cooperative State Research Service grant 93-COOP-2-9525.

    Reprint requests: Deborah J. Siler, PhD, USDA-ARS Western Regional Research Center, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710.

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