Traffic-Related Air Pollutants Induce the Release of Allergen-Containing Cytoplasmic Granules from Grass Pollen

Background/Aim: Pollen cytoplasmic granules (PCG) are loaded with allergens. They are released from grass pollen grains following contact with water and can form a respirable allergenic aerosol. On the other hand, the traffic-related air pollutants NO 2 and O 3 are known to be involved in the curren...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Archives of Allergy and Immunology 2006-01, Vol.139 (4), p.294-298
Main Authors: Motta, A.C., Marliere, M., Peltre, G., Sterenberg, P.A., Lacroix, G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants
Air pollution
Allergens - ultrastructure
Allergies
Biological and medical sciences
Cytoplasmic Granules - chemistry
Environmental Sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fundamental immunology
Grasses
Humans
Immunopathology
Life Sciences
Medical sciences
Motor Vehicles
Original Paper
Phleum - ultrastructure
Phleum pratense
Pollen
Pollen - ultrastructure
Toxicology
Vehicle emissions
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Summary:Background/Aim: Pollen cytoplasmic granules (PCG) are loaded with allergens. They are released from grass pollen grains following contact with water and can form a respirable allergenic aerosol. On the other hand, the traffic-related air pollutants NO 2 and O 3 are known to be involved in the current increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases via their adjuvant effects. Our objective was to determine the effects of air pollutants on the release of PCG from Phleum pratense (timothy grass) pollen. Methods:P. pratense pollen was exposed to several concentrations of NO 2 and O 3 . The induced morphological damages were observed by environmental scanning electron microscopy, and the amount of PCG released from the pollen upon contact with water was measured. Results: The percentages of damaged grain were 6.4% in air-treated controls, 15% after treatment with the highest NO 2 dose (50 ppm) and 13.5% after exposure to 0.5 ppm O 3 . In treated samples, a fraction of the grains spontaneously released their PCG. Upon subsequent contact with water, the remaining intact grains released more PCG than pollen exposed to air only. Conclusions: Traffic-related pollutants can trigger the release of allergen-containing granules from grass pollen, and increase the bioavailability of airborne pollen allergens. This is a new mechanism by which air pollution concurs with the current increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases.
ISSN:1018-2438
1423-0097
1365-2567
DOI:10.1159/000091600