Dactylis glomerata allergen 7 (Dac g 7)

Dac g 7 is a calcium-binding protein, specifically a polcalcin, derived from the pollen of Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as orchard grass or cocksfoot grass. As a member of the EF-hand protein family, it plays a physiological role in calcium signaling and pollen tube development within the plant. In the context of human health, Dac g 7 is a significant minor allergen that contributes to Type I hypersensitivity reactions, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma, in sensitized individuals. It is characterized by high cross-reactivity with other polcalcins found in various weed, tree, and grass pollens, making it a marker for polysensitization. In clinical practice, Dac g 7 is utilized in component-resolved diagnostics to distinguish between primary sensitization and cross-reactivity. Therapeutic intervention primarily involves allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), where standardized extracts containing Dac g 7 are used to desensitize patients and induce long-term immune tolerance.

Other names

Cocksfoot grass allergen 7Orchard grass allergen 7Polcalcin Dac g 7Calcium-binding pollen protein Dac g 7

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) involves the repeated administration of the allergen to induce immunological tolerance, shifting the immune response from a Th2-mediated allergic profile to a Th1/Treg-mediated regulatory profile, thereby reducing IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation.