Birch Pollen Allergens

Title:Birch Pollen Allergens

Volume: 23 Issue: 11

Author(s): Lisha Li, Christopher Chang and Kai Guan*

Affiliation:

• Department of Allergy, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Diagnosis and Treatment on Allergic Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, Beijing, China, 100730

Keywords: Birch, allergens, allergic rhinitis, Bet v 1, oral allergy syndrome, cross-reactivity, allergen immunotherapy

Abstract: Birch belongs to the order Fagales and the family Betulaceae. Birch pollen is one of the most important airborne inhaled allergens in the north temperate zone, leading to allergic rhinitis, asthma and pollen-related food allergy. The sensitization rate to birch pollen is about 8-16% in the general population and 7-57% in patients seen at various allergy centers. Seven birch pollen allergens have been recognized by the International Allergen Nomenclature Sub-committee, with Bet v 1 as the sole major allergen. Component-resolved diagnostics can help to discriminate broad cross-reactivity and false-positive diagnoses of pollen allergy caused by specific IgE to pan-allergens such as Bet v 2, 4 or Bet v 7 from true birch allergy represented by the major allergen Bet v 1-specific IgE. Patients with allergic symptoms to birch pollen showed significantly higher serum anti-Bet v 1 IgE concentrations than asymptomatic individuals with birch sensitization. A higher level of IgE to Bet v 1 also predicted oral allergy syndrome after the ingestion of Rosaceae fruits, nuts, or Apiaceae vegetables, which have cross-reactive homologous allergens with birch allergens. Bet v 1 is one of the first allergens developed using recombinant technology. Many forms of genetically modified Bet v 1 hypo-allergens have been developed and have shown benefit in animal models or even clinical trials of allergen immunotherapy.

Cite this article as:

Li Lisha, Chang Christopher and Guan Kai*, Birch Pollen Allergens, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2022; 23 (11) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203723666220815095725