Immunoglobulin E specific for Melilotus albus pollen allergens (Mel a-specific IgE)

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specific for Melilotus albus (White Sweet Clover) pollen allergens are the primary mediators of allergic sensitization and Type I hypersensitivity reactions to this plant. In sensitized individuals, these specific IgE molecules are produced by B cells and subsequently bind to high-affinity FcεRI receptors on the surface of mast cells and basophils. Upon re-exposure to Melilotus albus pollen, the allergens cross-link the surface-bound IgE, triggering the immediate release of inflammatory mediators such as histamine, leukotrienes, and cytokines. This physiological cascade results in the clinical symptoms of pollinosis, including sneezing, nasal congestion, and ocular itching, and can exacerbate underlying asthma. Therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway include the use of monoclonal antibodies like omalizumab, which sequester free IgE to prevent receptor binding, and allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), which aims to desensitize the immune system to the specific clover allergens. Measurement of these specific IgE levels in the serum is a standard diagnostic tool for identifying clover-induced allergies and monitoring the progress of desensitization treatments.

Other names

White sweet clover-specific IgEMelilotus albus-specific IgEAnti-Melilotus albus IgEIgE anti-Melilotus albus

Anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies like omalizumab bind to the Cε3 domain of the IgE molecule, preventing its binding to the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on mast cells and basophils. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) using Melilotus albus extracts works by inducing immune tolerance, shifting the cytokine profile from Th2 to Th1, and stimulating the production of IgG4 blocking antibodies that compete with IgE for allergen binding.