Hemp seed: an allergen source with potential cross-reactivity to hazelnut
Abstract
The increasing exposure of the population to Cannabis sativa has revealed allergies to different
parts of the plant, among which hemp seed. Nonetheless, the major hemp seed allergens remain
to be identified. Several known families of allergens are present in hemp seed, including notably
seed storage proteins. We therefore aimed to investigate the potential allergenicity of the hemp
seed storage proteins and their potential cross-reactivity to different seeds and nuts. For this,
we extracted hemp seed proteins sequentially using buffers with increasing levels of salinity
(H2O, T2 and T3) to yield extracts differentially enriched in storage proteins. We used these
extracts to perform immunoblots and ELISAs using sera of patients either sensitized to hemp
seeds or sensitized/allergic to other seeds and nuts. Immunoblots and proteomics analyses
identified vicilins and edestins as potential hemp seed allergens. Moreover, ELISA analyses
revealed a correlation between sensitization to hazelnut and the hemp seed T3 extract (enriched
in storage proteins). The possible cross-reactivity between hazelnut and hemp seed proteins was
further strengthened by the results from inhibition ELISAs: the incubation of sera from
hazelnut-sensitized individuals with increasing concentrations of the T3 extract inhibited serum
IgE binding to the hazelnut extract by about 25-30%. Our study thus identifies vicilins and
edestins as potential hemp seed allergens and highlights a possible cross-reactivity with
hazelnut. The clinical relevance of this cross-reactivity between hemp seed and hazelnut needs
to be further investigated in hazelnut-allergic individuals.
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