Major pollen allergen Bet v 1 (Bet v 1)

Major pollen allergen Bet v 1 is the primary sensitizing protein found in white birch (Betula verrucosa) pollen, responsible for over 90% of birch pollen allergies in Northern and Central Europe (UniProt: P15494). Structurally, it belongs to the Pathogenesis-related protein family 10 (PR-10) and features a characteristic large hydrophobic internal cavity that allows it to bind various ligands, including fatty acids, flavonoids, and cytokinins (PubMed: 25154313). In the context of human health, Bet v 1 acts as a potent IgE-binding allergen that triggers the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells and basophils, leading to symptoms of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and pollen-food allergy syndrome due to cross-reactivity with homologous proteins in fruits and vegetables (PubMed: 30101655). \n\nBecause of its high clinical relevance, Bet v 1 is the primary target for allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), where controlled exposure to the allergen is used to induce immunological tolerance (NCBI: NBK538237). Current therapeutic strategies utilize standardized extracts or sublingual tablets like Itulazax to desensitize the immune system, shifting the profile from a Th2-skewed response to a regulatory T cell response characterized by the production of IgG4 antibodies that block IgE-mediated activation (PubMed: 31215112).

Other names

Bet v 1aPathogenesis-related protein 10PR-10BETV1_BETVEBirch pollen allergen 1

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) inducing immune tolerance by shifting the immune response from a Th2-mediated allergic profile to a Treg/Th1-mediated profile, resulting in the production of protective IgG4 blocking antibodies.