The Effect of Birch Pollen Immunotherapy on Apple and rMal d 1 Challenges in Adults with Apple Allergy.

Background: A proportion of patients allergic to birch pollen are also allergic to pit fruit. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of immunotherapy with birch pollen on birch-pollen-related apple allergy.

Method: Patients with birch pollen immunotherapy underwent a skin-prick test with birch pollen, apple and rMal d 1, global assessments and nasal challenges with birch pollen, open food challenge with apple and a double-blind, placebo-controlled test with rMal d 1 at the start of and during the immunotherapy.

Critical role of mammalian target of rapamycin for IL-10 dendritic cell induction by a flagellin A conjugate in preventing allergic sensitization.

Background: Fusion proteins incorporating the Toll-like receptor 5 ligand flagellin are currently undergoing clinical trials as vaccine candidates for many diseases.

Objective: We studied the mechanisms of immune modulation by a flagellin:allergen fusion protein containing the Toll-like receptor 5 ligand flagellin A from Listeria monocytogenes and the birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 (recombinant flagellin A [rFlaA]:Betv1).

Methods: BALB/c mice were vaccinated with rFlaA:Betv1 in an experimental Bet v 1 sensitization model.

Efficacy and safety of 4 months of sublingual immunotherapy with recombinant Mal d 1 and Bet v 1 in patients with birch pollen-related apple allergy.

Background: Birch pollen-related apple allergy is among the most prevalent food allergies in adolescent/adult subjects and mainly results from sensitization to the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 and subsequent cross-reaction with the apple protein Mal d 1. However, specific immunotherapy with birch pollen has inconsistent effects on apple allergy.

Objective: We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with 2 formulations containing either rMal d 1 or rBet v 1 on birch pollen-related apple allergy.

T Cell Epitope-Containing Domains of Ragweed Amb a 1 and Mugwort Art v 6 Modulate Immunologic Responses in Humans and Mice.

Background: Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) are the major cause of pollen allergy in late summer. Allergen-specific lymphocytes are crucial for immune modulation during immunotherapy. We sought to generate and pre-clinically characterise highly immunogenic domains of the homologous pectate lyases in ragweed (Amb a 1) and mugwort pollen (Art v 6) for immunotherapy.

Tackling Bet v 1 and associated food allergies with a single hybrid protein.

Background: Allergy vaccines should be easily applicable, safe, and efficacious. For Bet v 1-mediated birch pollen and associated food allergies, a single wild-type allergen does not provide a complete solution.

Objective: We aimed to combine immunologically relevant epitopes of Bet v 1 and the 2 clinically most important related food allergens from apple and hazelnut to a single hybrid protein, termed MBC4.

Glutathione-S-transferase: a minor allergen in birch pollen due to limited release from hydrated pollen.

Background: Recently, a protein homologous to glutathione-S-transferases (GST) was detected in prominent amounts in birch pollen by proteomic profiling. As members of the GST family are relevant allergens in mites, cockroach and fungi we investigated the allergenic relevance of GST from birch (bGST).

Methodology: bGST was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized by mass spectrometry.

Oral exposure to Mal d 1 affects the immune response in patients with birch pollen allergy.

Background: Antibodies and T cells specific for the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 cross-react with structurally related food allergens, such as Mal d 1 in apple.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the effects of oral uptake of Mal d 1 on the allergen-specific immune response in patients with birch pollen allergy.

Methods: Patients received 50 μg of rBet v 1 sublingually on 2 consecutive days outside of the birch pollen season.