Exploration of severity-associated peanut allergens via proteomic analysis

Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2025 Dec;36(12):e70254. doi: 10.1111/pai.70254.

Abstract

Background: The relationship between the severity of peanut allergy and component-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) remains partially analyzed. We aimed to explore this relationship using a proteomic analysis of pediatric patients with peanut allergy.

Methods: Immunoblotting and mass spectrometry were used to identify candidate peanut allergen components, which were confirmed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using sera from pediatric patients with peanut allergy confirmed through a positive oral food challenge test (OFC). The association between each protein-specific IgE level and the severity of peanut allergy was compared. The severity of peanut allergy was quantified as TS/Pro, which is the total score (TS) of Anaphylaxis Scoring Aichi divided by the cumulative protein dose of peanuts at the OFC (Pro).

Results: This study comprised 52 patients with peanut allergy. In addition to the known peanut allergen components, we discovered seven allergens in more than five participants. Among the participants, 24 (46.2%) had Annexin Gh1-specific IgE. Ara h 2 (rs = 0.67, p < .001) and Ara h 6 (rs = 0.66, p < .001) specific IgEs and the sum of the absorbance of all seven candidates (rs = 0.64, p < .001) were strongly correlated with TS/Pro. Ara h 1 (rs = 0.30, p < .05), Ara h 3 (rs = 0.37, p < .01), Ara h 7 (rs = 0.34, p < .05), and the seed biotin-containing protein SBP65 (rs = 0.35, p < .05) specific IgEs were correlated with TS/Pro.

Conclusion: Ara h 2- and 6-specific IgEs and sensitization diversity were the most significant factors that correlated with peanut allergy severity. We identified SBP65 (Ara h 20) as a potential novel allergen component related to peanut allergy severity.

Keywords: Annexins; Ara h 19; Ara h 2; Ara h 20; Ara h 6; SBP65; allergens; anaphylaxis scoring Aichi; peanut hypersensitivity; proteomics; seed biotin‐containing protein.

MeSH terms

  • 2S Albumins, Plant / immunology
  • Adolescent
  • Allergens* / immunology
  • Antigens, Plant* / immunology
  • Arachis* / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Peanut Hypersensitivity* / blood
  • Peanut Hypersensitivity* / diagnosis
  • Peanut Hypersensitivity* / immunology
  • Plant Proteins / immunology
  • Proteomics
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Antigens, Plant
  • Allergens
  • Plant Proteins
  • 2S Albumins, Plant
  • Ara h 2 allergen, Arachis hypogaea
  • Glycoproteins