# Linear Epitope-Mediated Immunological Cross-Reactivity in Livestock Product Allergens

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how linear epitopes in livestock products cause cross-allergic reactions and explores their role in diagnosis and therapy.

## Contribution

The study systematically reviews novel cross-reactive allergens and their linear epitopes in livestock products.

## Key findings

- Linear epitopes are stable and contribute to cross-allergic reactions in livestock products.
- Novel allergens like Gal d 7 and α-vitellin are identified with their linear B-cell epitope profiles.
- These findings provide a basis for understanding and targeting food cross-allergies.

## Abstract

Linear epitopes, comprising continuous amino acid sequences, are critically implicated in the immunological cross-reactivity of livestock products owing to their stability during food processing. This paper aims to comprehensively review linear epitope-mediated cross-allergic reactions in major livestock products, including milk, eggs, and meat. Furthermore, this review systematically delineates the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying classical cross-allergic reactions, including α-Gal syndrome and avian egg syndrome, while addressing novel cross-reactive allergens, such as the thermostable poultry meat allergen Gal d 7 and the egg–milk cross-reactive protein α-vitellin, alongside their respective linear B-cell epitope profiles. Finally, this study summarizes the roles of these cross-reactive allergens in precise diagnosis and targeted therapy, providing a theoretical basis for future in-depth research on food cross-allergenic mechanisms.