Major ragweed pollen allergen Amb a 1 (Pectate lyase) (Amb a 1)

Amb a 1 is the immunodominant allergen of short ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen, belonging to the pectate lyase family of enzymes [1]. It is a 38 kDa glycoprotein that typically undergoes proteolytic cleavage into alpha and beta chains, which remain non-covalently associated in its native form [2]. The Amb a 1 family consists of several isoforms (Amb a 1.01 to Amb a 1.05) that exhibit varying degrees of IgE-binding capacity and T-cell reactivity, contributing to the complexity of ragweed allergy [3]. In sensitized individuals, Amb a 1 triggers a Th2-mediated immune response, leading to symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma [4]. Therapeutic interventions utilize Amb a 1 in allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) to induce immune tolerance [5]. This process involves the induction of regulatory T cells and the production of blocking IgG4 antibodies that prevent IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation [5]. Modern pharmaceutical products, such as sublingual tablets, use standardized Amb a 1 content to ensure efficacy in desensitization [6].

Other names

Antigen EPectate lyaseAmb a 1.01Amb a 1.02Amb a 1.03Amb a 1.04Amb a 1.05

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) induces peripheral T-cell tolerance, increases regulatory T cells (Tregs), and promotes the production of allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies that block IgE-mediated mast cell activation [5].