Grass pollen-specific B-cell receptor (BCR)

Grass pollen-specific B-cell receptors (BCRs) are specialized membrane-bound immunoglobulins on B lymphocytes that recognize specific protein components of grass pollen, such as Phl p 1 and Phl p 5 (Heeringa et al., 2020). These receptors are fundamental to the allergic cascade; in sensitized individuals, the binding of grass pollen allergens to these BCRs triggers B-cell activation and the production of allergen-specific IgE antibodies (Gevaert et al., 2022). These IgE antibodies subsequently sensitize mast cells and basophils, leading to the symptoms of hay fever and allergic asthma (Larché et al., 2006). On naïve B cells, these receptors typically consist of IgM or IgD, while on memory B cells, they are often class-switched to IgG, IgA, or IgE. Therapeutic interventions like allergen immunotherapy (AIT) leverage these receptors to reprogram the immune system toward tolerance by inducing blocking IgG4 antibodies and regulatory B-cell subsets (Shamji et al., 2011). Monitoring the frequency and phenotype of these BCR-bearing cells serves as a vital tool for assessing the efficacy of desensitization treatments.

Other names

Grass pollen-specific BCRTimothy grass allergen-specific B-cell receptorPhl p-specific B-cell receptorAllergen-specific surface immunoglobulin

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) involves the administration of increasing doses of grass pollen allergens to induce immunological tolerance. This process modulates B-cell receptor signaling, promotes the differentiation of regulatory B cells (Bregs), and induces a class switch from allergen-specific IgE to protective IgG4 antibodies, which act as blocking antibodies to prevent allergen-BCR binding and subsequent mast cell degranulation (Shamji et al., 2011; Larché et al., 2006).