How relevant is panallergen sensitization in the development of allergies?

Abstract

Panallergens comprise various protein families of plant as well as animal origin and are responsible for wide IgE cross-reactivity between related and unrelated allergenic sources. Such cross-reactivities include reactions between various pollen sources, pollen and plant-derived foods as well as invertebrate-derived inhalants and foodstuff. Here, we provide an overview on the most clinically relevant panallergens from plants (profilins, polcalcins, non-specific lipid transfer proteins, pathogenesis-related protein family 10 members) and on the prominent animal-derived panallergen family, tropomyosins. In addition, we explore the role of panallergens in the sensitization process and progress of the allergic disease. Emphasis is given on epidemiological aspects of panallergen sensitization and clinical manifestations. Finally, the issues related to diagnosis and therapy of patients sensitized to panallergens are outlined, and the use of panallergens as predictors for cross-reactive allergy and as biomarkers for disease severity is discussed.

Keywords: IgE cross-reactivity; allergy diagnosis; allergy treatment; non-specific lipid transfer proteins; pathogenesis-related protein family 10; polcalcins; profilins; tropomyosin.

Figure 1

The importance of panallergens in multiple sensitizations. Potential allergic reactions to tropomyosins can occur as a result of primary sensitization via different routes or via IgE cross‐reactivities. The left hand side describes arthropod tropomyosins to which individuals are commonly exposed to via the inhalation route. Cooking vapours of crustaceans are also a possible route of exposure and sensitization. Ingestion of crustaceans and fish, as described in the right hand side, can also cause sensitization to tropomyosins (Table 2 catalogues the mentioned tropomyosins in detail). Images were acquired from ©Ammit; psdesign1/fotolia.com and ©daagron; roblan; suchatbky; tunedin123/123RF.com.