Main Pollen Allergens and Their Cross-Reactivity Allergens in Spring in Beijing

In Beijing, China, the key pollen allergen components associated with spring allergic rhinitis (AR) and their potential link to pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) remain incompletely characterized. This study aimed to identify the major pollen allergens that trigger AR in spring and the key pollen components that drive PFAS in Beijing.

A total of 125 patients with spring AR symptoms were enrolled during the spring pollen season in Beijing. Serum-specific IgE against pollen allergen components and food allergens was detected using ImmunoCAP and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inhibition assays were performed to verify cross-reactivity between pollen and food proteins. SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze the correlation between pollen allergen components and PFAS-related food sensitization.

Among the 125 allergic patients, the main spring pollen allergens were cypress, Fraxinus chinensis, plane tree, willow, Populus, white birch and elm, while Artemisia sieversiana, sunflower, and goosefoot were the main autumn pollen allergens. The highest positive rate of Cup a 1 (60.9%) was observed for cypress, the highest positive rate of Art an 2 (64.8%) for Artemisia annua, and the highest positive rate of Che a 2 (80%) for goosefoot. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that Art an 4 cross-reacted with peach (r = 0.766, p < 0.0001), and Che a 2 cross-reacted with peach (r = 0.914, p < 0.001), which were confirmed by inhibition assay.

Spring AR patients should be alert for the possible cross-reactivity to some food and autumn pollen allergy. We found Art an 4 profilin sensitization has much impact on peach Pru p 4 and goosefoot pollen Che a 2 positivity, highlighting the need to detect both spring and autumn pollen components for early PFAS risk screening in spring.