ABSTRACT

This chapter reviews the taxonomy, ecology, and habitat of allergenic grasses belonging to the family Poaceae and the molecular characteristics of the 13 grass pollen allergen groups recognized by the International Union of Immunological Societies Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee. The chapter describes how various techniques of molecular biology and protein chemistry are used to define allergenically important and cross-reactive IgE-binding epitopes, to develop specific assays for allergen detection and quantitation, to delineate determinants involved in B- and T-cell recognition, and to design novel approaches for allergen immunotherapy. The clinical relevance of the observed cross-reactivities among grass pollen allergens and those between homologous proteins derived from other pollen sources, fruits, and vegetables is discussed.