RESULTS
3.1 Cloning, expression and purification of the mutants engineered for rice chitinase allergen: Two residues in each epitope were selected by DNAstar (antigenic index profile) for mutations namely [epitope R1 - arginine18 → tryptophan, aspartic acid22 → methionine; epitope R2 - asparagine35→ methionine, proline41 → isoleucine; epitope R3 - arginine146 → tryptophan, arginine152 → alanine] (Figure 1). Following site-directed mutagenesis, the recombinant clones (per mutant) were sequenced to confirm the mutations. Only the clones with expected mutations were selected for further studies. The mutants were expressed in E. coli cells as fusion proteins with N-terminal 6x histidine tag and were purified to homogeneity yielding
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Mutants RC1, RC2 & RC3 & RC123 showed inhibition of 53%, 58%, 43% & 61%, respectively, at 1000ng inhibitor concentration, with chitinase positive pooled patients’ sera (Figure 4).
3.4 Evaluating the hypoallergenicity of the mutants in vivo
3.4.1 Estimation of Immunoglobulins: Chitinase and mutant proteins (RC1, RC2, RC3, RC123) specific antibody (IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a) levels were measured in the sera of mice by ELISA (Figure 5a, b, c). Mice sensitized and challenged with rice chitinase showed high specific IgE levels. There was significant reduction in the IgE levels, in the sera of mice sensitized and challenged with the hypoallergenic proteins as compared to chitinase (p<0.01). Lowest IgE titer was observed in the sera of mice sensitized with RC123 and displayed a threefold decrease as compared to chitinase sensitized/challenged mice (Figure 5a). Similar pattern was observed for IgG1 levels (p<0.01) (Figure 5b). A twofold decrease was observed for mutant RC123 & RC2 immunized mice, in serum IgG1 levels compared to chitinase sensitized/challenged group (p<0.05). While the IgG2a levels showed an increase in case of all the four hypoallergens, mutant RC123 displayed significant increase compared to chitinase (p<0.05) (Figure 5c).
3.4.2 Cytokines in BALF supernatant:
IL-4 & IL-5 (Th2 cytokines) levels were analyzed in the BALF samples of mice by ELISA. IL-4 levels were significantly high for chitinase sensitized/challenged groups (Figure 6a) and
In this experiment, the primary antibodies against DAT were generated from the species Rattus norvegicus (the lab rat). The secondary antibodies (Chicken Anti-RatDAT) synthesized against Rat Anti-DAT, were generated from Gallus gallus domesticus (chickens). The Chicken Anti-RatDAT antibodies were synthesized by injecting certain purified rat antibodies into a chicken. As a result, a generation of the monoclonal antibodies Rat Anti-DAT, was essential to detect the DAT segment of the protein. Likewise, the polyclonal antibody Chicken Anti-RatDAT, linkage to the Fc portion of Rat Anti-DAT. Secondary antibodies are known to assist in the sorting, detection, and/or purification of target antigens by attaching to a primary antibody, that directly attaches to the target antigen.
This modification changes the way food is absorbed in living things. As a result, a new allergy could be formed in a human being that once was not allergic to that specific food. The idea that a perfectly fine person who could immediately have a flaw is a complete tragedy.
Many people today are often amazed by the amount of nutrition and health information required for humans. The constant stream of genetic modification of food can be confusing. Genetically modified (GM) foods are plants and animals that have had their genetic makeup artificially altered by scientists to make them grow faster, taste better, last longer and to provide more nutrients. Scientists make these alternations by transferring genes from one organism into another in order to change the condition or character of the receiving organism. This process is known as biotechnology or genetic engineering (GE), and it has revolutionized the way that agriculture is practiced in many parts of the world. Researchers are now able to use GE
Recently, there has been a huge uprise in reports from all over the world of new diseases that have affected much of the population today. Diseases such as obesity, Alzheimer’s, Celiac Disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and so much more have been on the rise. Researchers have suspected the culprit of these diseases to be our food. Along with the diseases, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) has also been on the rise. The more poor food we eat, the greater the potential harm to our health. One of the poor foods we consume is GMO: the altering of genes in food to produce desirable effects. These effects can range from an improvement in nutritional value, texture, flavor, and a longer shelf life. These
“The immune system didn’t evolve for allergy. Why in a hundred billion years of evolution would we evolve a response for allergy?”(Joel Weinstock). Throughout the years, food allergies have been on a dramatic increase in the United States. Allergic reactions are caused by antibodies in the immune system which are also known as immunoglobulins. There are five types of immunoglobulins that are produced to fight antigens, such as, bacteria, toxins, viruses, animal dander, fungus, and cancer cells . Each immunoglobulin fights a different antigen and is found in different parts of the human body. Immunoglobulins help the immune system when an allergen has entered the human body, each of these antibody releases a chemical called histamine, which is produced by the immune system to protect the human body. Histamine is one of the main reasons why allergy symptoms are triggered. Food allergens can cause severe or mild reactions due to an unusual mistake the immune system can make. The immune system usually mistakens a particular substance to be physically harming the human body and in the act to try and protect itself, it releases histamine. There are many reasons why food allergies occur, such as processed foods, genetically engineered proteins in foods, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms can all cause serious food allergies. It all began in 1996 when Genetically Modified Organisms were introduced to our foods. Genetically Modified Organisms are organisms that have been
Glutaraldehyde concentration is indispensable factors that have effects on the enzyme immobilization process. So, glutaraldehyde concentration was varied from 0.25- 2%. As displayed in Fig. 7, the remaining activity of AChE increased by increasing of glutaraldehyde concentration to record the maximum activity at 1%. Then, as increasing of glutaraldehyde concentration, the remaining activity decreased. With glutaraldehyde concentration increasing, the activated amino groups of chitosan increased, the immobilized amount of the enzyme also increased. Whilst, the increasing of glutaraldehyde solution concentration too much, the excessive activated groups with aldehyde, leading the enzyme molecules to form a multi-point binding with the carrier
Proteins in any foods have the ability to cause allergenic sensitisation and the re-exposure of the proteins to sensitized individuals can cause allergic reactions (Taylor et al, 2002). Tree nuts including pistachio are the group listed in the big 8 or the major foods that can cause almost 90% of allergic reactions. Foods may contain both major and minor allergens. A characteristic of major allergens is that it can bind more than 50% of the serum IgE antibodies in patients with specific food allergy (Taylor et al, 2002). Vicilin (7S globulin), legumins (11S globulin) and 2S albumin are the major allergens of tree nuts which also can be found in pistachio. Vicilin (7S globulin) and legumins (11S globulin) belong to the cupin superfamily with molecular weights of 40 to 80 kDa (7S) and 40 to 20 kDa (11S) whereas 2S albumin is from prolamin superfamily with a molecular weight of ~15kDa (Breiteneder and Radauer, 2004). Vicilins and globulins are soluble in dilute saline solutions while albumin is
Gene Doping is defined as using “Forbidden substances or methods to increase physical and or mental performance” (go.galegroup.com). Gene doping is banned from athletics, and very dangerous to use, mainly for the body. There are some pluses to the drug, it helps with dangerous diseases, helps people gain strength back, and also helps them become more resistant to being winded. Even though it is good for the sick, for the healthy it plays the same role but it is very dangerous because there are unknown side effects that even doctors don’t know about. Gene therapy is very important for anemia, muscular dystrophy, and peripheral vascular disease. “The therapy helps by putting more oxygen in tissues, putting more oxygen in the blood, and
Stimulated Th cells can differentiate into Th1 and Th2 cells from undifferentiated precursors, known as Th0 cells. Th1 cells produce a specific set of cytokines that are involved in cellular immunity, they are also responsible for delayed hypersensitivity reactions and macrophage activation. Th2 cells also produce a specific set of cytokines, however they are involved in humoral immunity. Regulatory T cells play a role in Th2 cells responses to allergens. [4]
The conserved region having amino acid composition SAIIDFKTLKNLNDNYGI was identified as the highest antigenicity among the entire
On Friday, May 29th, 1992, the FDA decided to allow everyday Americans to consume genetically modified organisms by publishing a policy that would end up causing plenty of controversy throughout the nation. This policy was an attempt by the FDA to modernize the system for products of biotechnology; however, the safety of genetically modified organisms has become a nation wide debate. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose genetic material has been altered or manipulated using genetic engineering. According to the Grocery Manufacturers Association, between 70% and 80% of packaged food in grocery stores in America contain GMOs (Moodie). Americans can find GMOs in cereal, yogurt, corn, and many more food items.
Allergies can cause a severe, and occasionally fatal, reaction in those who suffer from such a condition. 3.7% (approximately twelve million people) of the population of the United States suffers from food-related allergies (Held 1). This statistic, paired with the use of genetic modification, has created a dangerous guessing game as to what these people can safely consume. This danger relating to allergies is one of the many undesirable effects of genetic modification. In order to protect us from their hazardous effects, it is imperative that genetically modified foods (GMFs) be clearly labelled.
Another health concern for Genetically Modified foods is an increase is food allergies. Food Allergy affects approximately 6% of children and 3% of adults in Australia and lately has become a major public health issue (Bakshi, 2003). Allergic reactions occur when a usually harmless proteins enter the body and causes an immune response (Bernstein et al., 2003). If the protein in a Genetically Modified food originates from a source that is known to cause allergic reactions in humans or a source that has never been consumed by humans as food, the protein could evoke the immune response in humans increases. No allergic reactions to Genetically Modified foods by the public have been confirmed, evidence suggesting that some Genetically Modified food products could cause an allergic reaction has motivated a number of biotechnology companies to discontinue their development (Bakshi, 2003). Another serious concern for Genetically Modified foods is the production of "super bugs", scientists are finding that Genetically Modified crops are a breeding
Genetically manipulating genes to create certain traits in a human embryo is impossible at this point. Perhaps it will never happen. It is not inevitable in the long run, as some scientists pragmatically point out. (Embgen). It is, however, something that dominates modern day discussion concerning genetics and therefore must be addressed with care and consideration.
Never before in history has mankind so masterfully commanded its food chain. Thousands of years ago, much of our species made the leap from a hunter-gatherer level of subsistence to an agricultural society. With agriculture, slowly but surely many modifications were made to plants and animals used and domesticated by us for the purpose of feeding ourselves. New specialized varieties with specific desirable traits slowly emerged; with the advent of knowledge of hybridization, this process was greatly expedited. By today, much has changed in the way we shape the foods we put into our bodies. With modern food science has come the dawn of genetic