f77 nBos d 5 β-lactoglobulin, Milk

Allergens within Food of Animal Origin

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  • Latin name: Bos spp.
  • Source material: purified bovine b-lactoglobulin
β-lactoglobulin is one of the major allergens in cow's milk.

Allergen Exposure

Milk and dairy products.
 
Unexpected exposure
Food containing undeclared milk products.
May occur in "milk-free" products as undegraded milk proteins or as contamination from previous productions of food containing milk.

Potential Cross-Reactivity

Bovine β-lactoglobulin seems to share structures with corresponding milk proteins from other species, including humans. elk from related animals.

Presence of common allergens in milk, meat and dander from cow has been demonstrated.

Clinical Experience

IgE-mediated reactions
Specific IgE-antibodies to β-lactoglobulin were detected in 33% of a group of subjects sensitized by milk.
 
Review
b-lactoglobulin is a major whey protein of milk which together with a-lactalbumin is regarded as a major allergen in cow’s milk. The allergenicity of β-lactoglobulin is heat labile but resists pasteurization. A study of 25 milk-allergic patients with a variety of allergic symptoms showed b-lactoglobulin-specific IgE antibodies in 33% of the sera (1). In a study of 13 infants with atopic dermatitis, β-lactoglobulin was investigated in breast milk and in the infants’ sera before and after maternal elimination diet and after maternal challenge (2). In this study, the authors showed that the food antigen was transported via breast milk into the infants’circulation. In a review of breast-feeding and allergy, Zeiger (3) pointed out that while β-lactoglobulin antigens are available in the mother’s breast milk with a potential to sensitize, actual sensitization has not been conclusively documented. The level of specific IgE antibodies to cow’s milk was shown to decrease during elimination diets in patients with atopic dermatitis induced by cow’s milk (4). Chemical and immunological studies on β-lactoglobulin have identified a continuous epitope recognized by human IgE (5) and a recombinant protein has been prepared (6).
 
Bovine β-lactoglobulin seems to share structures with corresponding milk proteins from other species, including humans (7). James & Sampson (8) found that monitoring of β-lactoglobulin IgE concentrations and calculating a ratio of IgE to IgG antibodies could be useful in predicting which patients will ultimately loose clinical reactivity.

References:

    1. Rolfsen, W; Tibell, M; Yman, L. Cow’s milk proteins as allergens and antigens. Allergol Immunolog Clinica (Madr); 1987; 2: 213.
    2. Cavagni, G; Paganelli, R; Caffarelli, C; D’Offizi, G P; Bertolini, P; Aiuti, F; Giovannelli, G. Passage of food antigens into circulation of breast-fed infants with atopic dermatitis. Ann Allergy; 1988; 61: 361-365.
    3. Zeiger, RS. Challenges in the prevention of allergic disease in infancy. Clin Rev Allergy; 1987; 5: 349-373.
    4. Agata, H; Kondo, N; Fukutomi, O; Shinoda, S; Orii, T. Effect of elimination diets on food-specific IgE antibodies and lymphocyte proliferative responses to food antigens in atopic dermatitis patients exhibiting sensitivity to food allergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol; 1993; 91(2): 668-679.
    5. Ball, G; Shelton, MJ; Walsh, BJ; Hill, DJ Hoskings, CS; Howden, M. A major continuous epitope of bovine b-lactoglobulin recognized by human IgE binding. Clin Exp Allergy; 1994; 24: 758-764.
    6. Chatel, JM; Bernard, H; Clement, G; Frobert, Y; Batt, CA; Gavalchin, J; Peltres, G; Wal, JM. Expression, purification and immunchemical characterization of recombinant bovine b-lactoglobulin, a major cow milk allergen. Mol Immunol; 1996; 33: 1113-1118.
    7. Patterson, R; Ganz, MA; Roberts, M. Anaphylaxis and asthma in a scrimshander due to deer bone dust. Ann Allergy; 1991; 67: 529-532.
    8. James, JM; Sampson, HA. Immunologic changes associated with the development of tolerance in children with cow milk allergy. J Pediatr; 1992; 121: 371-377.

1999



Further Reading