Prawn tropomyosin-specific B-cell receptor (Tropomyosin-specific BCR)

The prawn tropomyosin-specific B-cell receptor (BCR) is a membrane-bound immunoglobulin complex on the surface of B lymphocytes that specifically recognizes tropomyosin, the primary allergen in prawns and other crustaceans, such as Pen m 1 (PMID: 9058686). This receptor is central to the pathogenesis of shellfish allergy, as its engagement by the allergen triggers B-cell activation, clonal expansion, and the subsequent production of allergen-specific IgE antibodies (PMID: 31622604). These IgE antibodies then sensitize mast cells and basophils, leading to the classic allergic cascade upon subsequent exposure to the allergen. In the context of therapeutic development, this BCR is a target for allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), which aims to desensitize the immune system or induce regulatory T and B cell responses (PMID: 32853845). Emerging strategies also explore the use of chimeric antigen receptors or toxin-conjugated allergens to specifically deplete B cells expressing these receptors, offering a potential cure for severe food allergies. Understanding the repertoire and affinity of these receptors helps in designing more effective vaccines and diagnostic tools for food allergies.

Other names

Pen m 1-specific B-cell receptorCrustacean tropomyosin-specific BCRShellfish allergen-specific B-cell receptor

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) involves the administration of increasing doses of the allergen to induce immunological tolerance by modulating B-cell and T-cell responses (PMID: 32853845).