Meadow fescue pollen allergen Fes p 5 (Fes p 5)

Fes p 5 is a major allergen derived from the pollen of Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis), a common grass species found in temperate regions (UniProt P43187). It belongs to the Group 5 grass pollen allergens, which are known for their high potency in eliciting IgE-mediated allergic reactions in sensitized individuals (WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature). Structurally, Group 5 allergens are typically 25-35 kDa proteins that often possess multiple IgE-binding epitopes, contributing to their high allergenicity (PubMed PMID: 8225598). In clinical practice, Fes p 5 is a significant trigger for seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and allergic asthma (PubMed PMID: 7521631). While it is not a therapeutic target in the traditional pharmacological sense (such as a human enzyme or receptor), it is a critical component in the diagnosis and treatment of grass pollen allergies. It is used in allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) to desensitize patients by inducing immunological tolerance, thereby reducing symptoms upon subsequent environmental exposure (PubMed PMID: 25856314).

Other names

Festuca pratensis allergen 5Major pollen allergen Fes p 5Group 5 grass pollen allergen

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) involves the administration of the allergen to induce immune tolerance, shifting the response from a Th2-mediated allergic profile to a Th1/Treg-mediated regulatory profile (PubMed PMID: 25856314).