Gandolfo-Cano, M.Bartra, J.González-Mancebo, E.Feo-Brito, F.Gómez, E.Bartolomé, B.Muñoz-García, E.Sanz Maroto, A.Vivanco Martínez, FernandoCuesta-Herranz, J.Pastor Vargas, Carlos2024-08-212024-08-212014-03Gandolfo-Cano M, Bartra J, González-Mancebo E, Feo-Brito F, Gómez E, Bartolomé B, Muñoz-García E, Sanz Maroto A, Vivanco F, Cuesta-Herranz J, Pastor-Vargas C. Molecular characterization of contact urticaria in patients with melon allergy. Br J Dermatol. 2014 Mar;170(3):651-6. doi: 10.1111/bjd.12701. PMID: 24640940.0007-096310.1111/bjd.12701https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/107590Background: The relevance of contact allergy to plant-related food has recently emerged. Oral allergy syndrome is one of the most characteristic symptoms of fruit allergy, although it also causes systemic reactions. Plant-food allergy is increasing at the same time as pollen allergy, and fruit-induced allergic contact urticaria could be rising as well. Objectives: The present study was carried out in order to investigate whether one particular primary melon-peel allergen is responsible for contact urticaria. Methods: Fourteen patients presenting with contact urticaria after touching melon peel were evaluated. A melon-peel extract was prepared and analysed by immunoblotting using the patients' sera. Molecular characterization of IgE-binding bands was performed using mass spectrometry. Melon-peel lipid transfer protein (LTP) was purified. Inhibition studies and contact challenge with the protein were performed to confirm IgE reactivity to the purified allergen. Results: An IgE-binding band of ~8-9 kDa was observed in an immunoblotting assay with all the patients' sera and was identified as an LTP. The melon-peel LTP was purified in two chromatography steps. Inhibition studies confirmed LTP as a major allergen in patients with melon-peel contact urticaria. Contact challenge with melon-peel LTP was performed in five patients, all of whom had positive results, exhibiting itchy erythema and hives in the area of contact. Conclusions: This study confirmed our previous findings that melon-peel LTP is a major allergen and is responsible for contact allergy. This knowledge may be used to improve both diagnosis and treatment of patients allergic to melon.engAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/journal articlehttps://academic.oup.com/bjd/article-abstract/170/3/651/6614747?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=trueopen access616-097616-056.3Contact urticariaMelon allergyLipid transfer proteinAlergología3207.01 Alergias