Therapy of birch pollen allergy by apple consumption

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In Central Europe, 20% of the population are affected by pollen allergy. This percentage is rising steadily, also in Tyrol and South Tyrol. An efficient therapy consists of a long-term hyposensibilisation against the birch pollen allergen Bet v1 by pluriennal uptake of synthetic compounds, in order to adapt the human immune system to Bet v 1. In comparison, it would be of upmost advantage to induce a hyposensibilisation through simple uptake of food. Due to their highly similar composition and structure, the birch pollen allergen Bet v1 and the apple allergen Mal d1 cause a strong cross-reaction in the human body. This cross-reaction provides an opportunity to use apples in a controlled and established dosage to cure pollen allergy. A transnational approach combining different research competences in medicine, molecular biology and structural chemistry will identify those apple varieties and dosages that are necessary for a successful therapy of pollen allergy. This interdisciplinary synergy will be used to establish an interregional database of allergy patients and to identify those fruits that are best suited for both a low-allergen diet and as a sustainable remedy for allergies. Last but not least, these results will promote the cross-border innovation potential.

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