Poa pratensis pollen allergen extract

Poa pratensis pollen allergen extract is a complex biological preparation derived from the pollen of Kentucky bluegrass, a major source of seasonal aeroallergens worldwide (WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature, 2024). The extract contains multiple allergenic proteins, most notably the major allergens Poa p 1 (a beta-expansin) and Poa p 5 (a ribonuclease-like protein), which trigger IgE-mediated type I hypersensitivity reactions in sensitized individuals (PubMed: 23574310). It is primarily used as the active component in allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for the treatment of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis (FDA: Oralair Label). The extract works by exposing the patient to controlled, gradually increasing or sustained doses of the allergen, which modulates the immune system to induce long-term tolerance. This process involves the induction of regulatory T cells, a shift from Th2 to Th1 cytokine profiles, and the production of 'blocking' IgG4 antibodies that prevent IgE-mediated allergic cascades (Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 2013). While highly effective for desensitization, the administration of the extract carries a risk of systemic allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, necessitating careful clinical monitoring.

Other names

Kentucky bluegrass pollen allergen extractBluegrass pollen extractPoa p pollen extractKentucky blue grass pollen

Induces immunological tolerance by shifting the immune response from a Th2-dominated allergic profile to a Th1/Treg-dominated profile, increasing allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies and reducing IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation (Nature Reviews Immunology, 2023).