Cypress pollen allergens

Cypress pollen allergens are a group of clinically significant proteins derived from trees of the Cupressaceae family, including the Arizona cypress (Hesperocyparis arizonica) and the Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) [1, 4, 18]. The major allergens, such as Cup a 1 and Cup s 1, are pectate lyases that trigger IgE-mediated type I hypersensitivity in sensitized individuals, leading to winter pollinosis characterized by rhinitis and conjunctivitis [5, 7, 17]. These allergens are highly cross-reactive across the Cupressaceae family and can also participate in pollen-food syndrome, particularly involving cross-reactivity with peach allergens [1, 19, 20]. In clinical practice, these allergens are the fundamental components used in diagnostic skin prick tests and the primary targets for allergen immunotherapy (AIT) [2, 4]. AIT involves the controlled administration of standardized cypress extracts via subcutaneous (SCIT) or sublingual (SLIT) routes to modify the patient's immune response from hypersensitivity to tolerance [2, 13]. By inducing regulatory T cells and producing IgG4 blocking antibodies, the therapy reduces the severity of symptoms upon subsequent environmental exposure to the pollen [14, 16, 18].

Other names

Cupressaceae allergensCupressus arizonica allergensCupressus sempervirens allergensCypress pollenCup a 1Cup s 1

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) targets these allergens by inducing immune tolerance through the expansion of allergen-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) and B cells (Bregs), the production of IgG4 blocking antibodies that outcompete IgE for allergen binding, and a shift from a pro-inflammatory Th2 immune response to a Th1-skewed or tolerant profile [2, 14, 16].