This document discusses various aspects of pollen allergens including types of pollen, pollen identification, distribution of pollens, cross-reactivity, and some effects of climate on allergen concentration and interaction between pollen and pollutants. It provides details on common grass, tree and weed pollens, how they are identified, their geographic distribution patterns in various regions of Thailand and North America, cross-reactivity between related pollen species, and how climate change can influence pollen allergen production and interaction with air pollution.

1. SOME ASPECTS of POLLEN
ALLERGEN
Surasarit Khawlaor
5-11-2010

2. OUT LINES
• Types of pollen
• Pollen identification
• Distribution of pollens
• Cross-reactivity
• Some effects of climate on
Allergen concentration
Interaction between pollen & pollutants
2

3. 3 types of pollens
1.grass pollen
Cultivated grass : johnson (หญ้าพง), sugar
cane, corn, typhaceae (ธูปฤาษี)
Wild grass : bermuda (หญ้าแพรก),
paragrass (หญ้าขน), sedge (กก)
ตาราโรคภูมิแพ้ 2000’s 2547
โรคภูมิแพ้ในเวชปฏิบัติ 2003 2546
7th Middleton’s Allergy Principles & practice
Types of pollen
3

4. Types of pollen
4
johnson bermuda paragrass
sedge

5. Types of pollen
5
sugar cane
cat-tail

6. 2.tree pollen : Australian wattle-Acacia,
Casuarina spp. (สนทะเล), Mimosa spp.
(ไมยราพ), มะม่วง, ชมพู่, walnuts
3.weed pollen : Amaranthaceae (ผักโขม :
Thailand), Chenopodiaceae(russian thistle : hay
fever), Asteraceae (ragweed : North America)
4.Fern pollen : Acrosticum spp.(ปรงทอง)
Types of pollen
6
ตาราโรคภูมิแพ้ 2000’s 2547
โรคภูมิแพ้ในเวชปฏิบัติ 2003 2546
7th Middleton’s Allergy Principles & practice

7. Types of pollen
7
southsea ironwood ไมยราพ
walnuts

8. Types of pollen
8
careless weed russian thistle
ragweed

9. Types of pollen
9
ผักเบี้ยใหญ่ (pigweed)
สาบเสือ (siamweed)

10. Types of pollen
10
ต้นปรงทอง

11. Pollen identification
11

12. Pollen identification
12
o Rely on
 Size
 Shape : spheroidal & ellipsoidal
 Germinal apertures : pores & furrows
Porate : posses only pores
Colpate : posses only furrows
Colporate : posses both pores & furrows
 Sculpture & Cell content
7th Middleton’s Allergy Principles & practice

13. Pollen identification
13
o Inaperturate :
o only 2 of trees
 Cottonwood
(Populus)
 Cedar (juniperus)
o Periporate :
o 3 weed families
 Chenopodiaceae
 Amaranthaceae
 Plantaginaceae
o 2 trees genus
 Juglans
 liquidambar
7th Middleton’s Allergy Principles & practice

14. Pollen identification
14
o Grasses
Difficult to distinquish morphologically
Most spherical to ovoidal
Monoporate
Size range 20-110 m
Thickened, slightly raised exine
surrounding pore
7th Middleton’s Allergy Principles & practice

15. Pollen identification
15
pine
cedar (Juniperus)
monoecious, 50-100 m
with 2 bladders or wings
diecious,
25-35 m
with thick
intine &
stellate
cytoplasm
contents

16. Pollen identification
167th Middleton’s Allergy Principles & practice
birch, walnut
monoecious, 25-28 m
with protruding domes
extending around
apertures(aspidate) &
large onci (thickened
intine below pores)
30-45 m, rounded,
triangular, polygonal
& tri-,tetra-
,periporate with onci

17. Pollen identification
177th Middleton’s Allergy Principles & practice
Acacia pollen, 50 m polyads (aggregation of >
4 pollens), roughly quadrangular(จัตุรัส) grains

18. Pollen identification
187th Middleton’s Allergy Principles & practice
Saltbush (Atriplex), 23-28
m, periporate of pigweed
& chenopod families
spheroidal ragweed
(Ambrosia), 20 m
with outer surface of
exine sculptured &
short,broad-based
spines

19. Distribution
19

20. Distribution
207th Middleton’s Allergy Principles & practice
Northern region
timothy, kentucky
bluegrass, perennial
ryegrass
Artemisia, Chenopodium
Quercus, red birch
Western region
Bermuda, johnson
Artemisia,
Amaranthus
Chenopodium
Quercus, Olea,
red cedar
Central region
Timothy, bermuda,
johnson, kentucky
Kochia, Amaranthus
Chenopodium
Quercus, box elder,
Sugar maple
Eastern region
Timothy, bermuda,
johnson
Kochia, Amaranthus
Chenopodium
Quercus, box elder,
Sugar maple

21. Distribution : Thailand
21
ตาราโรคภูมิแพ้ 2000’s 2547
โรคภูมิแพ้ในเวชปฏิบัติ 2003 2546
Pollen in Chaing Mai %
ไมยราพ (Mimosa) 27.14
หญ้า (Wild grass) 18.61
ตาแย (Urticaceae) 15.20
กก (Cyperaceae) 8.70
ไมยราพยักษ์ (Giant mimosa) 5.56

22. Distribution : Thailand
22
ตาราโรคภูมิแพ้ 2000’s 2547
โรคภูมิแพ้ในเวชปฏิบัติ 2003 2546
Pollen in Ubon %
กก (Cyperaceae) 41.55
หญ้า (Wild grass) 28.26
ตาแย (Urticaceae) 4.63
หญ้าเพาะปลูก (Cultivated grass) 3.95
เฟิร์น (Fern) 2.27

23. Distribution : Thailand
23
ตาราโรคภูมิแพ้ 2000’s 2547
โรคภูมิแพ้ในเวชปฏิบัติ 2003 2546
Pollen in Bangkok %
กก (Cyperaceae) 23.77
หญ้า (Wild grass) 18.06
เฟิร์น (Fern) 17.40
หญ้าเพาะปลูก (Cultivated grass) 11.29
ผักโขม (Amanranthaceae) 8.23

24. Distribution : Thailand
24
ตาราโรคภูมิแพ้ 2000’s 2547
โรคภูมิแพ้ในเวชปฏิบัติ 2003 2546
Pollen in Chon Buri %
หญ้าเพาะปลูก (Cultivated grass) 23.63
เฟิร์น (Fern) 23.63
ตาแย (Urticaceae) 16.99
หญ้า (Wild grass) 11.82
กก (Cyperaceae) 9.38

25. Distribution : Thailand
25
ตาราโรคภูมิแพ้ 2000’s 2547
โรคภูมิแพ้ในเวชปฏิบัติ 2003 2546
Pollen in Songkhla %
สนทะเล (Casuarinaceae) 41.53
ไมยราพ (Mimosa) 10.86
ตาแย (Urticaceae) 10.21
กก (Cyperaceae) 9.31
หญ้า (Wild grass) 8.17

26. Distribution : Thailand
26
Phaiboolya P. et al. APJAI 1989; 7: 113-118

27. Distribution : Thailand
27
Phaiboolya P. et al. APJAI 1989; 7: 113-118

28. Distribution : Thailand
28
Phaiboolya P. et al. APJAI 1989; 7: 113-118

29. Distribution : Thailand
29
Phaiboolya P. et al. APJAI 1989; 7: 113-118

30. 30Phaiboolya P. et al. APJAI 1997; 15: 183-185
-59 females, 41 males
-ages ranged 10-59 yrs.(mean
27.9 yrs.)
-associated disease
-sinusitis 21%
-nasal polyp 7%
-asthma 2%
-stop intaking of antihistamine
48 hrs prior to SPT
-inclusion criteria
1.pt. with history of &
clinical presentation of AR, Dx
by otolaryngologist
2.+SPT >= 3 mmwheal
with erythema
-exclusion criteria
1.severe underlying dz.
2.immunocompromised

31. Cross-reactivity
31

32. • Family Poaceae
• Cross-allergenicity strong
• Marked homology of major
allergen gr.1, 2/3, 5
• Timothy adequate choice to
represent subfamily
• Sweet vernal has some
unique allergens
• 1 of 2 should suffice for
treatment
32
Richard W. Weber. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007; 99: 203-212
Cross-reactivity : grass

33. • Family Poaceae
• Lack of gr.2 & 5 allergens
• Southern grasses
(Bermuda, Bahia, Johnson)
are treated separately
• Chloridoideae members are
cross-reactive : Bermuda
most potent & appropriate
choice to cover other
members
33
Richard W. Weber. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007; 99: 203-212
Cross-reactivity : grass

34. • Cross-allergenicity within
family of Junaceae but no
cross with family Poaceae
• Palm & sedge if clinically
relevant, need to be treated
separately
34
Richard W. Weber. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007; 99: 203-212
Cross-reactivity : grass

35. • Order Coniferales :
gymnosperms
 Family Cupressaceae (cypress)
strong cross-allergenicity
 Marked homology of gr.1 & 2
allergens
 Weak cross-reactivity with
angiosperms
 Jun a 1 has highly conserved
region of pectate lysate catalytic
site (important during
fertilization)
35
Richard W. Weber. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007; 99: 203-212
Cross-reactivity : conifer

36. • Tricolpate angiosperms
• Strong cross-allergenicity
among Betulaceae members
based on homology of gr.1 & 2
allergens
• Fairly strong cross-allergenicity
between Betulaceae &
Fagaceae
• Bet v 5, isoflavone reductase-
related protein has cross-
reactvity to pear & lychee
36
Richard W. Weber. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007; 99: 203-212
Cross-reactivity : tree

37. • Birch or alder should cover
other members
• In area oaks are
predominant, Quercus,
expectted to cover birch
37
Richard W. Weber. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007; 99: 203-212
Cross-reactivity : tree

38. • Other tricolpate trees
 1 member of family can
be expectedto be
adequate for IT
 Exceptions nettle &
pellitory no significant
cross-allergenicity
38
Richard W. Weber. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007; 99: 203-212
Cross-reactivity : grass

39. • Tricolpate weed
• Strong cross-allergenicity
among Amaranthus
• Strong cross-allergenicity
among Atriplex species
• Both can each be
represented by single
member
• Others need to be
separately
39
Richard W. Weber. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007; 99: 203-212
Cross-reactivity : weed

40. • Tricolpate weed
• Strong cross-allergenicity
among short, giant, western,
false ragweeds : 1 or 2
are adequate
• Strong cross-allergenicity
among Artemisia species
• Artemisia & marshelders
(Iva) need to be separately
40
Richard W. Weber. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007; 99: 203-212
Cross-reactivity : weed

41. Some effects of Climate
41

42. 1Cecchi L. et al. Allergy 2010; 65: 1073-1081
2Ziska LH. JACI 2003; 111: 290-295
Some effects of Climate
42
On allergen concentration
Increase in allergen content produced by
plant growing at higher temperature & in
CO2-enriched atmosphere  increase
sensitization rate a/o severity of symptoms
in pollen allergy1
In field experiment, ragweed grew faster,
flowered earlier, and produced significantly
greater above-ground biomass and pollen2

43. Some effects of Climate
43Ziska LH. JACI 2003; 111: 290-295

44. Some effects of Climate
44
Birch trees growing at higher temperatures
produce pollen with increased Bet v 1
Ahlholm JU et al. Clin Exp Allergy 1998; 28: 1384-1388
Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
increase both in biomass & urushiol (toxic oily
organic allergen cause contact dermatitis)
when grow in higher temperatures
Mohan JE et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2006; 103: 9086-9089
1Cecchi L. et al. Allergy 2010; 65: 1073-1081

45. 1Cecchi L. et al. Allergy 2010; 65: 1073-1081
Some effects of Climate
45
On interaction between pollen & pollutants
Mainly in 3 ways
oAir pollution increase expression of allergenic proteins
such as Cupressus arizonica (สน) from polluted cities
showed higher Cup a 3 concentration than less
polluted

46. 1Cecchi L. et al. Allergy 2010; 65: 1073-1081
Some effects of Climate
46
On interaction between pollen & pollutants
(cont.)
oComponents of air pollution interact with allergen
carried by pollen  pollen, latex, -glucan bound to
air particles
Particle in air can act as carriers of allergen & as
depots of allergens inhaled into airways

47. 1Cecchi L. et al. Allergy 2010; 65: 1073-1081
Some effects of Climate
47
On interaction between pollen & pollutants
(cont.)
oPollution enhance risk of exacerbation of symptom in
sensitized subjects inducing airway mucosal damage
& impaired mucociliary clearance

48. • 11 males, 4 females
• Ages range 21-28 yrs.
• None had Hx of asthma,
respiratory, other illness,
medication
• -ve SPT for
aeroallergens, no
respiratory infection at
least 6 Mo prior to or
during study
• Each subject was
exposed to air or DE for
1 hr on 2 different
occasions in randomized
sequence
• Output
 PFT
 Bronchoscopy : BAL,
BW(proximal bronchial
wash), biopsy
 Cell, adhesion molecule,
48
Sundeep S. et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med
1999; 159: 702-709
Some effects of Climate

49. 49
Sundeep S. et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med
1999; 159: 702-709
Some effects of Climate

50. 50
Sundeep S. et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med
1999; 159: 702-709
Some effects of Climate

51. 51
Sundeep S. et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med
1999; 159: 702-709
Some effects of Climate

52. • In conclusion
Diesel emission are capable of causing
marked pulmonary and systemic
inflammatory response involving a variety
of cell types
52
Sundeep S. et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med
1999; 159: 702-709
Some effects of Climate

53. Thank you for your attention
53