Olea europaea pollen allergens (Ole e)

Olea europaea pollen allergens are a complex group of proteins found in the pollen of the olive tree, which serve as major triggers for seasonal respiratory allergies in Mediterranean regions and other olive-growing areas worldwide (WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature, 2023). The primary allergen, Ole e 1, is a glycoprotein associated with pollen tube extension and is recognized by the immune system of over 70% of individuals allergic to olive pollen, making it a critical focus for diagnosis and therapy (Palao-Ochoa et al., 2022). Other notable components include Ole e 2 (profilin), Ole e 7 (lipid transfer protein), and Ole e 9 (beta-1,3-glucanase), which contribute to cross-reactivity and clinical severity (Barber et al., 2008). In a therapeutic context, these allergens are the active components in allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), where they act as pharmacological targets to induce immune tolerance. AIT modifies the disease by expanding regulatory T-cell populations and inducing 'blocking' IgG4 antibodies that prevent IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation (Akdis & Akdis, 2014). Effective treatment often requires component-resolved diagnosis to tailor the allergen extract to the patient's specific sensitization profile.

Other names

Olive pollen allergensOlea europaea allergensOle e allergensOlive tree pollen extract

Allergen immunotherapy (desensitization) works by the repeated administration of specific allergen extracts to modulate the immune system, shifting the response from a Th2-mediated allergic profile to a Th1 and T-regulatory (Treg) cell response, which induces the production of allergen-specific IgG4 blocking antibodies.