Background: In pollinosis patients, allergen-specific antibody titers show seasonal variations. Little is known about
these variations at the epitope level. Objectives: We aimed at
investigating seasonal variations on the level of allergen epitope recognition in patients with Bet v 1-related food allergy
using a peptide phage display approach. Methods: Serum
samples collected over 1 year from 4 patients of the placebo
arm of the birch-associated soya allergy immunotherapy trial
were included. To identify epitopes from Bet v 1-related food
allergens, patient sera were used in peptide phage display
experiments. In silico analysis of enriched allergen-related
motifs was performed. Results: We identified epitope motifs
related to Bet v 1 and its homologs in soya and hazelnut (Gly
m 4 and Cor a 1, respectively) that were enriched in accordance with birch and hazel pollen exposure. Within several
weeks after the birch pollen season peak, the pattern of identified epitope motifs differed considerably among patients.
Data for amino acid preferences in homologous Bet v 1 and
Cor a 1 epitope motifs identified for one of the investigated
patients suggest changes in concentration or specificity of
serum antibodies for the Cor a 1 epitope motif. Conclusions:
Peptide phage display data suggest an impact of birch and
hazel pollen exposure on the recognition pattern of Bet v
1-like allergen epitopes. Epitope-oriented analyses could
provide deeper, personalized details regarding the allergen
epitope recognition influenced by pollen exposure beyond
the capability of current method
