Plant pollen is one of the main sources of
allergens causing allergic diseases such as
allergic rhinitis and
asthma. Several
allergens in plant pollen are panallergens which are also present in other
allergen sources. As a result, sensitized individuals may also experience
food allergies. The mechanism of sensitization and development of allergic
inflammation is a consequence of the interaction of
allergens with a large number of molecular factors that often are acting in a complex with other compounds, for example low-molecular-mass
ligands, which contribute to the induction a type 2-driven response of immune system. In this review, special attention is paid not only to properties of
allergens but also to an important role of their interaction with
lipids and other hydrophobic molecules in pollen sensitization. The reactions of epithelial cells lining the nasal and bronchial mucosa and of other immunocompetent cells will also be considered, in particular the mechanisms of the activation of B and T lymphocytes and the formation of
allergen-specific antibody responses.