title: Immunobiology of grass pollen allergens.
abstract: Among pollen allergens, grass pollen allergens are some of the most frequent contributors to allergic symptoms. Substantial progress has been made since the 1960s in the identification and characterization of the grass allergens. Members of this group belong to the Poaceae family, and have been classified into 13 distinct groups based on their structure, and their biological and immunologic properties. The major contributors to allergy and, hence, most studied among the grass allergens, are those belonging to groups 1 and 5. This review is focused on the structure and immunobiology of the grass allergens and highlights how recent advances in the field have contributed to superior diagnosis and immunotherapy for allergy to grass pollens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology and the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. smohapat@hsc.usf.edu
authors.forename: Shyam S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mohapatra
authors.forename: Richard F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Lockey
authors.forename: Shawna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shirley
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000939:Epitopes