Alergenom

Alergenom is the term used for the complete set of allergenic molecules associated with a given biological source or environmental context. It encompasses the proteins and glycoproteins that can provoke an allergic immune response, as well as the epitopes that bind IgE antibodies or activate allergen-specific T cells. The concept can apply to an organism’s own allergenic repertoire or to the mixture of allergens present in an environment.

The allergenome of a source includes primary allergens, their isoforms, and related cross-reactive determinants. Environmental allergenomes cover aeroallergens such as pollen, fungal spores, dust mite proteins, and animal dander. Understanding the allergenome helps explain why certain exposures trigger reactions in some individuals and how cross-reactivity can link seemingly different sources.

Study of the allergenome relies on omics and immunological methods, including proteomics, transcriptomics, and immunoproteomics, as well as epitope mapping and IgE profiling. Databases and standardized nomenclature aid in cataloging known allergens and their variants, supporting diagnostic and research efforts.

Applications include improving diagnostics through component-resolved diagnostics (CRD), guiding personalized immunotherapy, and informing strategies to reduce allergenicity in crops or foods. The allergenome concept also supports risk assessment in environmental health by characterizing the overall allergenic burden of a given setting.

Limitations involve variability between individuals, geographic differences in exposure, and dynamic expression of allergens. Not all potential allergens are fully known, and cross-reactivity can complicate interpretation. Continued research aims to refine the mapping of allergenomes and their clinical implications.

See also: allergen, allergenicity, IgE, epitope, immunoproteomics, allergen database.