Grass pollen allergen-specific B-cell receptor (BCR)

Grass pollen allergen-specific B-cell receptors (BCRs) are membrane-bound immunoglobulins on the surface of B lymphocytes that specifically recognize and bind to protein antigens from grass pollens, such as Phl p 1 and Phl p 5 from Timothy grass. These receptors are central to the development of Type I hypersensitivity, as their activation in a Th2-polarized environment leads to the production of allergen-specific IgE antibodies (PMID: 32654312). Once produced, these IgE antibodies bind to high-affinity receptors on mast cells and basophils, sensitizing them for degranulation upon subsequent allergen exposure. In the context of allergic rhinitis and asthma, these BCRs serve as the primary target for allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), which aims to reprogram the B-cell response (PMID: 30102915). AIT works by inducing the expansion of regulatory B cells (Bregs) and promoting a class-switch from IgE to IgG4 production. These IgG4 antibodies act as "blocking" antibodies, competing with IgE for allergen binding and thereby preventing the allergic cascade (PMID: 29107115). Monitoring the frequency and repertoire of these specific BCRs using allergen tetramers has become a vital tool for assessing the efficacy of desensitization treatments (PMID: 28434604).

Other names

Grass pollen-specific B-cell receptorPhl p-specific BCRAllergen-specific B-cell receptorPollen-specific B-cell receptor

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) induces immune tolerance by binding to these BCRs and promoting the differentiation of B cells into regulatory B cells (Bregs) and IgG4-secreting plasma cells, which block IgE-mediated mast cell activation (PMID: 30102915).