Walnut allergen-specific B-cell receptor (Walnut-specific BCR)

Walnut allergen-specific B-cell receptors (BCRs) are specialized membrane-bound immunoglobulins expressed on the surface of B lymphocytes that selectively bind to proteins derived from walnuts, such as Jug r 1, Jug r 2, and Jug r 3 (Heeringa et al., 2021). These receptors are central to the development and maintenance of walnut allergy, as their activation leads to the production of allergen-specific IgE antibodies (Ellebedy et al., 2016). When a sensitized individual is exposed to walnut, these IgE antibodies facilitate the cross-linking of FcεRI receptors on mast cells and basophils, resulting in the release of inflammatory mediators and potentially fatal anaphylaxis (Costa et al., 2021). Therapeutic strategies targeting these BCRs aim to achieve long-term desensitization or a cure by selectively depleting the B cell clones responsible for the allergic response. Emerging modalities include B-cell Antigen Receptor-targeting T cells (BAR-T cells), which are engineered to recognize and kill B cells expressing specific BCRs, thereby halting the production of pathogenic IgE (Basner-Tschakarjan et al., 2019). This precision medicine approach represents a significant shift from traditional symptom management toward targeting the underlying cellular drivers of food allergy.

Other names

Jug r-specific B-cell receptorWalnut-reactive B-cell receptorAnti-walnut B-cell receptorWalnut-specific BCR

Selective depletion of allergen-specific B cells and induction of immune tolerance through antigen-specific interaction.