Cupressus arizonica allergen 1 (Cup a 1) - Immunoglobulin E (IgE) - High affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor (FcεRI) complex (Cup a 1-IgE-FcεRI)

Cupressus arizonica allergen 1 (Cup a 1) is the primary pectate lyase allergen found in the pollen of the Arizona cypress, a major cause of winter pollinosis in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions (UniProt P80174, IUIS Allergen Nomenclature). The target "Cup a 1 – IgE on mast cells/basophils" describes the functional complex formed when Cup a 1 molecules cross-link specific IgE antibodies that are anchored to the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on the surface of mast cells and basophils (PubMed PMID: 7522144). This cross-linking event triggers a signal transduction cascade leading to the degranulation of these effector cells and the subsequent release of inflammatory mediators like histamine, which drive the clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma (Janeway's Immunobiology). This complex is a focal point for therapeutic intervention; for instance, omalizumab acts by sequestering free IgE to prevent its binding to FcεRI, thereby reducing the density of the complex on cell surfaces (PubMed PMID: 25697467). Additionally, allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) utilizes Cup a 1 extracts to desensitize the immune system, promoting the production of IgG4 blocking antibodies and regulatory T cells to inhibit this specific IgE-mediated pathway (PubMed PMID: 30033913).

Other names

Arizona cypress major allergenPectate lyase Cup a 1Cup a 1-IgE-FcεRI complexCupressus arizonica allergen 1

Inhibition of IgE-FcεRI interaction and induction of allergen-specific immune tolerance.