As part of a study that received significant funding from CK-CARE, scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum in Munich and the Technische Universität München have discovered a new mechanism that explains how non-allergenic pollen constituents can exacerbate allergies. The so-called B cells play a crucial role in this mechanism. Until now, it has been assumed that the dendritic cells were primarily responsible for any allergy-promoting effects by non-allergenic plant constituents. The newly discovered mechanism relating to B cells therefore presents a new viewpoint on this subject and offers new approaches for the development of therapies in allergic diseases.
“Since the prevalence of pollen constituents may also depend on climatic factors, we, together with the Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology (BIOP), intend to continue monitoring whether changing climatic conditions are exerting an influence on the B-cell mediated allergenicity of pollen,” explains Prof. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, Director of CK-CARE.

Prof. Dr. Kilian Eyerich is our new member of the Scientific Board
As of November 2025, we welcome Prof. Dr. Kilian Eyerich as a new member of our Scientific Board.
Prof. Dr. Kilian Eyerich is the Medical Director of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology at the University Medical Center Freiburg.
With his appointment to our board, the University of Freiburg becomes an additional research center within the CK-CARE consortium.
The Freiburg site strengthens the research network with its outstanding expertise in T-cell immunology, with a particular focus on tissue-resident memory T cells and their role in the development and persistence of atopic dermatitis. The team aims to apply T-cell–targeted therapies even more precisely in the future and thereby sustainably influence immunological memory in a positive way.
At the core of their work is the recruitment of patients as well as the collection and integration of data and samples from the ProRaD study, a prospective longitudinal study investigating the remission phase of atopic dermatitis and other allergy-associated diseases such as asthma, food allergies, and allergic rhinitis.
We look forward to a successful collaboration and warmly welcome Kilian Eyerich and his team to the CK-CARE consortium.




