Allergenic molecules
A number of mango-allergenic antigens have been identified. The main ones are Man i 1 (40kDa; GAPDH), Man i 2 (30kDa) and Man i 3 (a profilin, with similar structure to mugwort Art v 1)(11, 18).
Three known banana allergens (Mus a 1, Mus a 2 and Mus a 5; a profilin, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase respectively) were found to be shared by mango by using proteomics libraries (19). 5-resorcinol is an allergen found in mango peel and appears to be related to the poison ivy/poison oak antigen urushiol (4). Other antigens found in the skin, bark and external flesh of the fruit are limonene, cardol and β-pinene (8). Chitinases and β-1,3-glucanases from the mango protein fraction were recognized by IgE of patients with known allergies; however, the clinical relevance of these remained unclear as the same patients did not show symptoms when consuming mango (14).
Table adapted from Allergome.org (20)
Allergen
|
Type
|
Mass (kDa)
|
|---|
Man i 1
|
GAPDH
|
40
|
Man i 2
|
Unknown
|
30
|
Man i 3
|
Profilin
|
14
|
Man i 14kDa
|
PR proteins
|
14
|
Man i Chitinase
|
Chitinase
|
46
|
Cross-reactivity
Cross-reactivity between members of the Anacardiaceae family has been reported.
A study of 18 children with pistachio and/or cashew nut allergies (both Anacardiaceae) showed that mango was well tolerated in food challenges, suggesting elimination diets may be unnecessary (5).
In a larger study, initial results suggested that 21% of cashew allergic patients (up to 52% with a history of eczema, asthma or AR) had mango hypersensitivity; the follow-up study carried out open food challenges with mango which did not elicit any clinical reactions (21). In another study, 50% of patients with specific IgE to cashew nut showed cross sensitivity to pistachio, mango, pink peppercorn or sumac (14).
Cross reactivities with other plants pollens have also been discussed in the context of pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS), especially birch-mango (6, 22). Mugwort pollen, celery and carrot have also been associated with mango cross-reactivity, due to allergens related to Bet v 1 (birch) and Art v 1 (mugwort)(11, 23) and birch profilin Bet v 2 (22, 24). The pan-allergen hevein (present in latex) is known to cause cross reactions with certain allergens present in a number of common foods such as banana, avocado, kiwi, tomato, wheat, mango, chestnut, peach, orange and passion fruit (8, 24).
Cross-reactivity between mango peel and poison ivy/poison oak (also of the family Anacardiaceae) has been reported (4).
