International archives of allergy and immunology
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Apr 2002
Sensitization of mice with olive pollen allergen Ole e 1 induces a Th2 response.
Olive pollen is one of the main causes of allergy in Mediterranean countries, where it is widely distributed. One inconvenience in studying new immunotherapies for olive pollen allergy is the lack of suitable animal models. The aim of this study was to develop a murine model of IgE sensitization to Ole e 1, the major allergen of olive pollen, which mimics the immunological features of olive pollinosis in humans and to investigate the in vivo antigenicity of the recombinant form of the allergen. ⋯ A murine model of Ole e 1 sensitization has been established. rOle e 1 shows similar allergenicity and antigenicity to its natural form. This model should provide a useful tool for evaluating antigenic molecules and exploring new therapeutic approaches in order to treat IgE-mediated olive pollinosis.