Artemisia annua allergen Art an 3 (Art an 3)

Artemisia annua allergen Art an 3 is a major allergen derived from the pollen of Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood), a plant widely distributed in Asia, Europe, and North America. It belongs to the non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) family, which is characterized by a compact, four-helix bundle structure stabilized by four disulfide bonds, granting the protein high resistance to heat and enzymatic digestion. This stability allows Art an 3 to remain immunologically active even after environmental exposure or ingestion, making it a potent trigger for Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Clinically, sensitization to Art an 3 is a primary cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma, and it is frequently implicated in the "LTP syndrome," where cross-reactivity occurs with homologous proteins in various plant-derived foods. Art an 3 is utilized in clinical diagnostics to identify specific sensitization patterns and is the target of allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), which aims to achieve long-term desensitization by inducing immune tolerance.

Other names

Non-specific lipid transfer protein 1nsLTP1Artemisia annua lipid transfer proteinArt an 3.0101Art an 3.0102

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) induces immune tolerance by shifting the immune response from a Th2-mediated allergic profile to a Th1/Treg-mediated regulatory profile and promoting the production of allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies.