The release of peanut allergens from their natural source by human mastication, their persistence, and interaction with oral epithelial cells as a previous step of allergic sensitization were analyzed in healthy individuals and in the DOK cell line. The persistence of Ara h 1, Ara h 2, and Ara h 3 in saliva, oral areas, and their interaction with epithelial cells from the dorsal tongue was analyzed by specific immunoassay. Ara h 1, as opposed to Ara h 2, showed specific adherence properties to keratinocytes from the tongue in a dose-dependent manner.
The results demonstrate for the first time that Ara h 1 but not Ara h 2 attaches to oral epithelial cells after peanut consumption with a continuous presence of Ara h 1 in the oral area, even after regular cleansing.