Bet v 1-specific T lymphocyte (Bet v 1-specific T cell)

Bet v 1-specific T lymphocytes are the primary cellular mediators of birch pollen allergy, specifically CD4+ T helper cells that recognize the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1. In allergic individuals, these cells predominantly exhibit a Th2-polarized phenotype, secreting cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 that promote IgE synthesis and allergic inflammation (Ebner et al., 1995). Therapeutic interventions, specifically allergen immunotherapy (AIT), target these cells to induce immunological tolerance. This is achieved by promoting the differentiation of Bet v 1-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) and shifting the cytokine profile from Th2 toward Th1, thereby reducing the allergic response upon subsequent allergen exposure (Bohle et al., 2007). These cells are also involved in pollen-food allergy syndrome, where they cross-react with homologous proteins in fruits like apples (Valenta et al., 2019). Monitoring the frequency and phenotype of these cells serves as a critical measure of treatment efficacy in clinical trials for birch allergy (Jutel et al., 2015).

Other names

Bet v 1-reactive T cellBirch pollen-specific T lymphocytePR-10-specific T cell

Induction of immune tolerance through T-cell anergy, deletion, or immune deviation from a Th2 to a Th1/Treg phenotype.