Immunoglobulin E specific for Bet v 1 (Bet v 1-sIgE) (Bet v 1-sIgE)

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) specific for Bet v 1 is the primary mediator of birch pollen allergy, a prevalent Type I hypersensitivity condition (PMID: 27511042). Bet v 1 is the major allergen produced by the white birch tree (Betula verrucosa), and in sensitized individuals, specific IgE antibodies are produced and bound to high-affinity FcεRI receptors on mast cells and basophils (UniProt P15494). When these individuals are exposed to birch pollen, Bet v 1 proteins cross-link the surface-bound IgE, triggering the rapid release of inflammatory mediators such as histamine and leukotrienes (PMID: 32147111). This physiological response leads to clinical symptoms including allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and in some cases, allergic asthma. Additionally, Bet v 1-specific IgE is known for its high degree of cross-reactivity with homologous Pathogenesis-Related class 10 (PR-10) proteins found in various plant-based foods, such as apples (Mal d 1) and hazelnuts (Cor a 1.04), causing pollen-food allergy syndrome (PMID: 25027233). Therapeutic interventions focus on reducing the activity or levels of these specific antibodies through allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), such as Itulazax, which promotes the production of neutralizing IgG4, or through biological agents like REGN5713/5714/5715 that prevent the allergen from interacting with IgE (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03539276).

Other names

Bet v 1-specific IgEBirch pollen-specific IgEAnti-Bet v 1 IgEsIgE to Bet v 1

Therapies targeting Bet v 1-specific IgE function by sequestering free IgE to prevent receptor binding, inducing immune tolerance to shift antibody production from IgE to IgG4, or competitively blocking allergen epitopes to prevent IgE cross-linking and subsequent mast cell degranulation (PMID: 32147111, PMID: 27511042).