CLUSTERING OF TREE COMPONENTS IN SENSITIZATION PROFILES SUGGESTS KEY COMBINATIONS FOR ALLERGEN IMMUNOTHERAPY

Abstract

Introduction

Patient sensitization patterns need to be understood to optimize allergen immunotherapy.

Methods

20,033 individuals were tested by ALEX methods in 17 regions of Ukraine in 2020-2022.

Results

7518 patients (37.53 %) were sensitive to at least one tree allergen. Sensitization to Sec c dominated (1404) followed by sensitivity to Cupressus arizonica Cup a 1( 1147). This cluster included half – 13 -of all tree-related molecules and extracts – (Bet v 6, Bro pa, Cup a 1, Cup s, Fra e, Fra e 1, Jun a, Mor r, Ole e 1, Ole e 9, Pla a 1, Pla a 2, Pla a 3). Populus nigra extract was clustered with Alternaria, dog, cat, horse allergens and timothy grass molecule Phl p 2. Cluster 4 comprised all PR-10 proteins including pollen and food associated including Aln g 1, Api g 1, Ara h 8, Bet v 1, Cor a 1.0103, Cor a 1.0401, Cor a_pollen, Dau c, Dau c 1, Fag s 1, Fra a 1+3, Gly m 4 and Mal d 1. Agglomerative clustering showed close relations between these component allergens. Bet v 1, Cor a 1.0103 and Fag s 1 were in one subcluster, while Aln g 1 associated most closely with Cor a_pollen extract and with Mad d 1 and Cor a 1.0401.

Conclusions

Analysis of patterns of sensitization suggests there are groups of allergen components to which tree sensitized patients are most commonly sensitized potentially useful for allergen immunotherapy strategies.