Artemisia-specific B-cell receptor

Artemisia-specific B-cell receptor (BCR) refers to the population of membrane-bound immunoglobulins on B cells that specifically recognize allergens from the Artemisia genus, such as the major mugwort allergen Art v 1 (Gadermaier et al., 2003). These receptors are central to the development of Type I hypersensitivity reactions, as their activation by pollen allergens triggers B-cell differentiation into IgE-secreting plasma cells in allergic individuals (Biedermann et al., 2019). The resulting allergen-specific IgE binds to mast cells and basophils, leading to the inflammatory symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma upon re-exposure. Therapeutic intervention primarily utilizes allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), where controlled exposure to Artemisia extracts targets these BCRs to reprogram the immune system toward tolerance (Shamji & Durham, 2017). This process promotes the production of protective IgG4 antibodies and the induction of regulatory B cells, which mitigate the allergic response. Consequently, the Artemisia-specific B-cell receptor is a critical functional target for diagnosing and treating mugwort pollen allergies.

Other names

Mugwort-specific B-cell receptorArt v 1-specific B-cell receptorArtemisia pollen-specific BCR

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) involves the administration of Artemisia allergens that bind to the B-cell receptor, inducing immune tolerance through the expansion of regulatory B cells and the induction of IgG4 blocking antibodies (Shamji & Durham, 2017).