Major olive pollen allergen Ole e 1 (Ole e 1)

Major olive pollen allergen Ole e 1 is the primary protein responsible for respiratory allergies caused by Olea europaea pollen, particularly in Mediterranean regions (ThermoFisher Scientific; NIH, 2025). Biologically, it belongs to the extensin family and plays a critical role in pollen germination, hydration, and the guidance of pollen tube growth during plant fertilization (Frontiers in Plant Science, 2020; NIH, 2004). In humans, exposure to Ole e 1 triggers a Type I hypersensitivity reaction, leading to symptoms of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma (NIH, 2002; NIH, 2025). While other allergens like Ole e 7 and Ole e 9 also contribute to disease severity, Ole e 1 remains the immunodominant target for diagnosis and therapy (Abacus dx; NIH, 2025). It is a key therapeutic target for allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), where standardized extracts or recombinant forms are administered to induce immune tolerance (NIH, 2002; NIH, 2021). This process involves shifting the immune response from a Th2-mediated allergic profile to a Th1/Treg-mediated tolerant state, characterized by the production of blocking IgG4 antibodies and regulatory cytokines like IL-10 (MDPI, 2023; NIH, 2021). AIT remains the only disease-modifying treatment for olive pollinosis, aiming to reduce long-term sensitivity and medication reliance (NIH, 2021; ClinicalTrials.eu).

Other names

Ole e 1Olea europaea allergen 1Common olive group 1 allergenOlive pollen allergen 1

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) inducing immune tolerance via Th2 to Th1/Treg shift, production of regulatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-beta), and generation of blocking IgG4 and IgA antibodies (MDPI, 2023; NIH, 2021).