Timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 6 (Phl p 6)

Timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 6 is a major 11.8 kDa protein derived from the pollen of Phleum pratense, representing a critical target in the diagnosis and treatment of grass pollinosis [2, 4]. It is an acidic, non-glycosylated protein characterized by a predominantly alpha-helical structure and association with polysaccharide-containing wall-precursor bodies (P-particles), which may facilitate its intrusion into the deeper airways [2, 12]. Phl p 6 is recognized by IgE antibodies in approximately 75% of grass-allergic individuals and is a primary driver of type I hypersensitivity symptoms, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma [3, 11]. In clinical practice, it serves as a therapeutic target for allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), where it is administered via standardized extracts or recombinant formulations to induce immune tolerance [14, 16]. The therapeutic mechanism involves shifting the immune response from a Th2-dominated profile to a Th1/Treg-mediated response, resulting in the production of allergen-specific blocking IgG4 antibodies [13, 14]. Specific IgE and IgG4 levels against Phl p 6 are utilized as essential biomarkers for patient selection and monitoring treatment efficacy [8, 11].

Other names

Group 6 grass pollen allergenPHLPVI proteinTimothy grass allergen 6Phl p VI

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) targets Phl p 6 by inducing immune tolerance through a shift from a Th2-dominated to a Th1/Treg-mediated immune response, characterized by the induction of regulatory T cells and the production of allergen-specific blocking antibodies such as IgG4.