Cockroach allergen

Cockroach allergens are proteins produced by various species of cockroaches, most notably the German (Blattella germanica) and American (Periplaneta americana) cockroaches. These proteins are potent environmental triggers of allergic diseases such as asthma and rhinitis—especially among people living in infested urban environments. The major identified allergens include: • Bla g 1 and Per a 1 – homologous group I allergens with cross-reactivity between species. • Bla g 2 – an aspartic protease unique to B. germanica. • Bla g/Per a tropomyosins – muscle proteins responsible for cross-reactivity with other arthropods like dust mites and shellfish. • Other families include glutathione S-transferases (Bla g/Per a GSTs), calycins/lipocalins (Bla g/Per a calycins), hemocyanin (Per a/Bla g hemocyanin) and chitinases. These molecules act primarily by inducing strong IgE-mediated immune responses that can lead to chronic airway inflammation when inhaled by susceptible individuals. They are not classical drug targets but serve as key antigens in allergy diagnostics and the development of desensitization therapies through immunotherapy extracts containing defined recombinant or purified natural allergenic components[1][2][3][4].

Other names

German cockroach allergen (Bla g)American cockroach allergen (Per a)Blattella germanica allergensPeriplaneta americana allergens

Induction of IgE antibody production leading to mast cell degranulation and allergic inflammation upon exposure in sensitized individuals