Tree pollen allergens—an update from a molecular perspective

It is estimated that pollen allergies affect approximately 40% of allergic individuals. In general, tree pollen allergies are mainly elicited by allergenic trees belonging to the orders Fagales, Lamiales, Proteales, and Pinales. Over 25 years ago, the gene encoding the major birch pollen allergen Be...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Allergy (Copenhagen) 2015-10, Vol.70 (10), p.1201-1211
Main Authors: Asam, C., Hofer, H., Wolf, M., Aglas, L., Wallner, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
allergen cross‐reactivity
allergen exposure
Allergens - immunology
Allergies
Antigens, Plant - immunology
Biochemistry
Humans
molecular allergology
Molecular biology
Plant Proteins - immunology
Pollen
Pollen - immunology
Review
Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal - immunology
tree pollen allergy
tree pollen sensitization
Trees
Trees - adverse effects
Trees - classification
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:It is estimated that pollen allergies affect approximately 40% of allergic individuals. In general, tree pollen allergies are mainly elicited by allergenic trees belonging to the orders Fagales, Lamiales, Proteales, and Pinales. Over 25 years ago, the gene encoding the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 was the first such gene to be cloned and its product characterized. Since that time, 53 tree pollen allergens have been identified and acknowledged by the WHO/IUIS allergen nomenclature subcommittee. Molecule‐based profiling of allergic sensitization has helped to elucidate the immunological connections of allergen cross‐reactivity, whereas advances in biochemistry have revealed structural and functional aspects of allergenic proteins. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the present knowledge of the molecular aspects of tree pollen allergens. We analyze the geographic distribution of allergenic trees, discuss factors pivotal for allergic sensitization, and describe the role of tree pollen panallergens. Novel allergenic tree species as well as tree pollen allergens are continually being identified, making research in this field highly competitive and instrumental for clinical applications.
ISSN:0105-4538
1398-9995
DOI:10.1111/all.12696