Cross-reactivity of pollen allergens: recommendations for immunotherapy vaccines.
OBJECTIVE
This review will summarize recent research on pollen allergen and epitope cross-reactivity. Knowledge of these relationships aids in the rational formulation of allergen immunotherapy vaccines.


RESULTS
There has been further clarification of panallergens and their roles as both major and minor allergens. Recent studies have targeted non-specific lipid transfer proteins and calcium-binding proteins (polcalcins), as well as pathogenesis-related protein families and profilins. Polcalcins and non-specific lipid transfer proteins are responsible for pollen-fruit interactions as well as pollen cross-reactivity, in some cases, but not all, accounting for major allergenicity. Delineation of the enzymatic activity of certain allergens explains the ubiquitous nature of these pollen proteins.


CONCLUSIONS
Characterization of specific pollen allergens and their protein families has provided insight into the grounds for cross-reactivity. Continuing clarification of these relationships will allow the substitution and consolidation of inhalant extracts as described in the conclusion.
Weber
Richard W
RW
National Jewish Medical and Research Center, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, USA. weberr@njc.org
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000628:therapy; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; D010940:Plant Proteins; D014612:Vaccines; C511920:lipid transfer proteins, plant