Allergies Exhaust gases increase aggressiveness of Ambrosia pollen

Pollen of ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) has increased allergen levels when exposed to nitrogen dioxide-containing fumes. That's what scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum München found out.

Millions of people are already suffering from hay fever and pollen allergy. The number of those affected could increase enormously in the coming decades. It is also due to the spread of the ragweed plant. (Image: olyasolodenko / fotolia.com)

The researchers investigated how nitrogen oxides affect the pollen of the plant. Specifically, they fumigate the plants with different amounts of NO2, which arises, for example, during the combustion of fuel. It was found that the stress caused by NO2 on the plant alters the protein composition of the pollen. Various forms of the known allergen Amb a 1 were significantly increased. In addition, the scientists observed that the pollen of NO2 treated plants bound much more strongly to specific IgE antibodies from ambrosia allergy sufferers. This is often the beginning of an allergic reaction in humans.

Hitherto unknown allergen in Ambrosia
And there was one more thing about the pollen of fumigated plants: In their investigations, the plant researchers discovered a protein, which occurred especially at elevated NO2 levels. This was previously unknown as Ambrosia allergen and are very similar to a protein from rubber trees, the scientists write. There it was previously described as allergen. This effect is also known in molds and other plants. Further experiments are currently being planned.

Ultimately, it can be expected that the already aggressive Ambrosia pollen will become even more allergenic by air pollution in the future, according to the study authors. The study can be found here. (Association of German Naturopaths)