The molecular allergology of subtropical grass pollen

• Published in: Molecular immunology Vol. 100; pp. 126 - 135
• Main Authors: Kailaivasan, Thina, Davies, Janet M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2018
• Subjects: Allergic rhinitis; Allergy; Bahia grass pollen; Bermuda grass pollen; Grass pollen; Subtropical grass pollen; Grass pollen; Allergy; Bahia grass pollen; Bermuda grass pollen; Subtropical grass pollen; Allergic rhinitis
• ISSN: 0161-5890; 1872-9142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.03.012

•Climate change is increasing the contribution of subtropical grass pollens to allergy globally.•Subtropical and temperate grass pollens differ phylogenetically and immunologically.•Subtropical grass pollens lack the major group 5 allergen.•Natural Cyn d 1 (Bermuda), is available for diagnosis but allergens of Panicoideae e.g. Pas n 1 of Bahia, are not.•Subtropical grass pollen allergen components would better target needs of patients from warmer regions. Grass pollens are amongst the most important aeroallergen sources world-wide triggering allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma in sensitised patients. Much of what we know about the allergen components of grasses is informed by research on pollen of temperate (Pooideae) species that are abundant in the temperate climate zones. However, climate changes are altering the biogeographical distribution as well as timing and allergenicity of grass pollens. This provides an impetus for better understanding of the contribution of subtropical subfamilies of grasses to pollen allergy globally. Pollen of Chloridoideae (e.g. Cynodon dactylon; Bermuda grass) and Panicoideae (e.g. Paspalum notatum; Bahia grass or Sorghum halepense; Johnson grass) subfamilies are clinically important in subtropical zones of Australia, Asia, India, Africa, and America. These grasses differ ecologically and phylogenetically from temperate grasses and, importantly their allergen composition is qualitatively different. For example, subtropical grass pollens appear to lack the major group 5 grass pollen allergen family. In this review we summarize current knowledge of the epidemiology and immunology of subtropical Chloridoideae and Pancoideae pollen allergens, describe the biochemical characteristics of known isoforms and variants as well as properties and structures of subtropical pollen allergen components. Whilst only one subtropical allergen component; Cyn d 1 of Bermuda grass pollen, is available commercially for diagnostic use, in a natural purified form, a number of allergens of Panicoideae grass pollen; Zea m 1, Zea m 3 and Zea m 13 of maize, Pas n 1 and Pas n 13 of Bahia, as well as Sor h 1, Sor h 2, Sor h 13 and Sor h 23 of Johnson grass, have been discovered. Research effort is directed towards making available subtropical grass pollen allergen components as innovative treatment and diagnostic options that more specifically address the needs of patients from warmer regions of the globe.