Platanus acerifolia allergen (Pla a)

Platanus allergens, primarily derived from the London plane tree (Platanus acerifolia), are significant environmental proteins responsible for seasonal respiratory allergies, particularly in urban settings (Fernández-Rivas et al., 2006). The most significant allergens in this group are Pla a 1 (an invertase inhibitor), Pla a 2 (a polygalacturonase), and Pla a 3 (a non-specific lipid transfer protein) (Allergen.org). These allergens function by inducing the production of allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in sensitized individuals. Upon subsequent exposure, the allergens bind to and cross-link these IgE antibodies on the surface of mast cells and basophils, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators such as histamine, which causes symptoms of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma (Lauer et al., 2004). Therapeutic management includes allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) to desensitize the patient and the use of Omalizumab to neutralize circulating IgE and prevent the allergic cascade (FDA, 2023).

Other names

London plane tree allergenPla a 1Pla a 2Pla a 3Platanus orientalis allergenPlane tree pollen allergen

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) involves the repeated administration of Platanus acerifolia allergen extracts to induce immunological tolerance, characterized by a shift from a Th2 to a Th1/Treg immune response and the production of IgG4 blocking antibodies. Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the Fc region of free IgE, preventing it from binding to the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on mast cells and basophils, thereby blocking the allergic response triggered by Platanus allergens (FDA, 2023; Fernández-Rivas et al., 2006).