Short ragweed pollen allergen extract (SRPE) (SRPE)

Short ragweed pollen allergen extract is a complex biological mixture derived from the pollen of the short ragweed plant (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). It contains several potent allergenic proteins, most notably the pectate lyase Amb a 1, which is responsible for the majority of its allergenic activity (WHO/IUIS). The extract is primarily used as a therapeutic agent in allergen immunotherapy (AIT) to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis in sensitized individuals (FDA, 2014). By exposing the patient to controlled amounts of the allergen, the extract induces a state of immunological tolerance. This is characterized by a shift in the immune response from a pro-inflammatory Th2 profile to a regulatory T-cell (Treg) or Th1 profile, alongside the production of protective IgG4 blocking antibodies (Creticos et al., 2014). These changes reduce the activation of mast cells and basophils upon subsequent natural exposure to ragweed pollen. Despite its therapeutic benefits, the extract can trigger severe systemic allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and thus requires medical supervision during the initiation of treatment (FDA, 2014). It is available in standardized formulations for both sublingual and subcutaneous administration. The extract is also used in diagnostic testing, such as skin prick tests, to confirm ragweed sensitivity. Overall, it represents a disease-modifying approach to allergy management rather than just symptomatic relief.

Other names

Ambrosia artemisiifolia pollen extractRagweed pollen extractShort ragweed extractRagweed allergen extract

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) induces immunological tolerance by shifting the T-cell response from Th2 to Th1/Treg, increasing the production of IL-10 and TGF-beta, and stimulating the synthesis of allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies that block IgE-mediated mast cell activation (Creticos et al., 2014; Moingeon, 2013).