Booster Injection with Birch Pollen Extract Activates B-Cellular Memory Responses in Patients Having Completed Allergen Immunotherapy.

ABSTRACT: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) of patients with IgE-mediated allergy results in the synthesis of blocking IgG antibodies mediating allergen tolerance. However, as antibody concentrations wane after stopping AIT, tolerance may be lost. The impact of a single booster allergen application on B-cellular memory in AIT-treated birch pollen (BP)-allergic patients was investigated. Twenty-five patients with BP allergy who finished AIT 3-12 years ago received one allergen injection approximately 4 months prior to the next BP season. We determined peripheral Bet v 1-specific IgG-secreting cells (ASC) by ELISPOT analysis and BP-specific IgG, IgG4, and IgE serum antibodies by ImmunoCAP, and the allergen-blocking capacity of IgG/IgG4 antibodies by ELIFAB assay. Clinical responses were assessed by visual

SUBMITTER: Baum C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12358704 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature