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Dona DW, Suphioglu C. Egg Allergy: Diagnosis and Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5010. [PMID: 32708567 PMCID: PMC7404024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypersensitivity or an allergy to chicken egg proteins is a predominant symptomatic condition affecting 1 in 20 children in Australia; however, an effective form of therapy has not yet been found. This occurs as the immune system of the allergic individual overreacts when in contact with egg allergens (egg proteins), triggering a complex immune response. The subsequent instantaneous inflammatory immune response is characterized by the excessive production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody against the allergen, T-cell mediators and inflammation. Current allergen-specific approaches to egg allergy diagnosis and treatment lack consistency and therefore pose safety concerns among anaphylactic patients. Immunotherapy has thus far been found to be the most efficient way to treat and relieve symptoms, this includes oral immunotherapy (OIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). A major limitation in immunotherapy, however, is the difficulty in preparing effective and safe extracts from natural allergen sources. Advances in molecular techniques allow for the production of safe and standardized recombinant and hypoallergenic egg variants by targeting the IgE-binding epitopes responsible for clinical allergic symptoms. Site-directed mutagenesis can be performed to create such safe hypoallergens for their potential use in future methods of immunotherapy, providing a feasible standardized therapeutic approach to target egg allergies safely.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cenk Suphioglu
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Geelong 3216 VIC, Australia;
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2
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Tscheppe A, Breiteneder H. Recombinant Allergens in Structural Biology, Diagnosis, and Immunotherapy. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2017; 172:187-202. [PMID: 28467993 DOI: 10.1159/000464104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The years 1988-1995 witnessed the beginning of allergen cloning and the generation of recombinant allergens, which opened up new avenues for the diagnosis and research of human allergic diseases. Most crystal and solution structures of allergens have been obtained using recombinant allergens. Structural information on allergens allows insights into their evolutionary biology, illustrates clinically observed cross-reactivities, and makes the design of hypoallergenic derivatives for allergy vaccines possible. Recombinant allergens are widely used in molecule-based allergy diagnosis such as protein microarrays or suspension arrays. Recombinant technologies have been used to produce well-characterized, noncontaminated vaccine components with known biological activities including a variety of allergen derivatives with reduced IgE reactivity. Such recombinant hypoallergens as well as wild-type recombinant allergens have been used successfully in several immunotherapy trials for more than a decade to treat birch and grass pollen allergy. As a more recent application, the development of antibody repertoires directed against conformational epitopes during immunotherapy has been monitored by recombinant allergen chimeras. Although much progress has been made, the number and quality of recombinant allergens will undoubtedly increase and keep improving our knowledge in basic scientific investigations, diagnosis, and therapy of human allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Tscheppe
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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3
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Garmatiuk T, Swoboda I, Twardosz-Kropfmüller A, Dall'Antonia F, Keller W, Singh MB, Bhalla PL, Okada T, Toriyama K, Weber M, Ghannadan M, Sperr WR, Blatt K, Valent P, Klein B, Niederberger V, Curin M, Balic N, Spitzauer S, Valenta R. Characterization of mutants of a highly cross-reactive calcium-binding protein from Brassica pollen for allergen-specific immunotherapy. Immunobiology 2013; 218:1155-1165. [PMID: 23790497 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The major turnip (Brassica rapa) pollen allergen, belongs to a family of calcium-binding proteins (i.e., two EF-hand proteins), which occur as highly cross-reactive allergens in pollen of weeds, grasses and trees. In this study, the IgE binding capacity and allergenic activity of three recombinant allergen variants containing mutations in their calcium-binding sites were analyzed in sensitized patients with the aim to identify the most suitable hypoallergenic molecule for specific immunotherapy. Analysis of the wildtype allergen and the mutants regarding IgE reactivity and activation of basophils in allergic patients indicated that the allergen derivative mutated in both calcium-binding domains had the lowest allergenic activity. Gel filtration and circular dichroism experiments showed that both, the wildtype and the double mutant, occurred as dimers in solution and assumed alpha-helical fold, respectively. However, both fold and thermal stability were considerably reduced in the double mutant. The use of bioinformatic tools for evaluation of the solvent accessibility and charge distribution suggested that the reduced IgE reactivity and different structural properties of the double mutant may be due to a loss of negatively charged amino acids on the surface. Interestingly, immunization of rabbits showed that only the double mutant but not the wildtype allergen induced IgG antibodies which recognized the allergen and blocked binding of allergic patients IgE. Due to the extensive structural similarity and cross-reactivity between calcium-binding pollen allergens the hypoallergenic double mutant may be useful not only for immunotherapy of turnip pollen allergy, but also for the treatment of allergies to other two EF-hand pollen allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetiana Garmatiuk
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ines Swoboda
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Twardosz-Kropfmüller
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fabio Dall'Antonia
- Division of Structural Biology, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Walter Keller
- Division of Structural Biology, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Mohan B Singh
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research, Faculty of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Prem L Bhalla
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research, Faculty of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Takashi Okada
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research, Faculty of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Kinya Toriyama
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Milena Weber
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Minoo Ghannadan
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang R Sperr
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Blatt
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brigitte Klein
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Verena Niederberger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirela Curin
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadja Balic
- Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Spitzauer
- Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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4
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Abstract
Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is effective in reducing the clinical symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis, asthma and venom-induced anaphylaxis. Subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with unmodified allergen extracts are the most widely prescribed AIT regimens. The efficacy of these 2 routes appears comparable, but the safety profile with SLIT is more favorable allowing for home administration and requiring less patient time. However, both require that the treatment is taken regularly over several years, e.g., monthly in a supervised medical setting with SCIT and daily at home with SLIT. Despite the difference in treatment settings, poor adherence has been reported with both routes. Emerging evidence suggests that AIT may be effective in other allergic conditions such as atopic dermatitis, venom sting-induced large local reactions, and food allergy. Research with oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food allergies suggest that many patients can be desensitized during treatment, but questions remain about whether this can produce long term tolerance. Further studies are needed to identify appropriate patients and treatment regimens with these conditions. Efforts to develop safer and more effective AIT for inhalant allergies have led to investigations with modified allergens and alternate routes. Intralymphatic (ILIT) has been shown to produce long-lasting clinical benefits after three injections comparable to a 3-year course of SCIT. Epicutaneous (EPIT) has demonstrated promising results for food and inhalant allergies. Vaccine modifications, such as T cell epitopes or the use of viral-like particles as an adjuvant, have been shown to provide sustained clinical benefits after a relatively short course of treatment compared to the currently available AIT treatments, SLIT and SCIT. These newer approaches may increase the utilization and adherence to AIT because the multi-year treatment requirement of currently available AIT is a likely deterrent for initiating and adhering to treatment.
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Sharma P, Gaur SN, Arora N. In silico identification of IgE-binding epitopes of osmotin protein. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54755. [PMID: 23349964 PMCID: PMC3548786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of B-cell epitopes is an important step to study the antigen- antibody interactions for diagnosis and therapy. The present study aimed to identify B- cell epitopes of osmotin using bioinformatic tools and further modify these regions to study the allergenic property. B-cell epitopes were predicted based on amino acid physicochemical properties. Three single point mutations M1, M2, and M3 and a multiple point mutant (M123) were selected to disrupt the IgE binding. These mutants were cloned, expressed and proteins purified to homogeneity. The IgE binding of the purified proteins was evaluated by ELISA and ELISA inhibition with patients' sera. Three regions of osmotin M1 (57–70 aa), M2 (72–85 aa) and M3 (147–165 aa) were identified as potential antibody recognition sites using in silico tools. The sequence similarity search of the predicted epitopes of osmotin using Structural Database of Allergenic proteins (SDAP) showed similarity with known allergens from tomato, kiwifruit, bell pepper, apple, mountain cedar and cypress. Mutants M1, M2 and M3 showed up to 72%, 60% and 76% reduction, respectively in IgE binding whereas M123 showed up to 90% reduction with patients' sera. The immunoblot of M123 mutant showed 40% reduction in spot density as compared to osmotin. All mutants showed decreased inhibition potency with M123 exhibiting lowest potency of 32% with osmotin positive pooled patients' sera. The three B- cell epitopes of osmotin predicted by in silico method correlated with the experimental approach. The mutant M123 showed a reduction of 90% in IgE binding. The present method may be employed for prediction of B- cell epitopes of allergenic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prerna Sharma
- Allergy and Immunology Section, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India
| | - Shailendra Nath Gaur
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Naveen Arora
- Allergy and Immunology Section, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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6
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Linhart B, Valenta R. Mechanisms underlying allergy vaccination with recombinant hypoallergenic allergen derivatives. Vaccine 2011; 30:4328-35. [PMID: 22100888 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2011] [Revised: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 11/03/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Hundred years ago therapeutic vaccination with allergen-containing extracts has been introduced as a clinically effective, disease-modifying, allergen-specific and long-lasting form of therapy for allergy, a hypersensitivity disease affecting more than 25% of the population. Today, the structures of most of the disease-causing allergens have been elucidated and recombinant hypoallergenic allergen derivatives with reduced allergenic activity have been engineered to reduce side effects during allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT). These recombinant hypoallergens have been characterized in vitro, in experimental animal models and in clinical trials in allergic patients. This review provides a summary of the molecular, immunological and preclinical evaluation criteria applied for this new generation of allergy vaccines. Furthermore, we summarize the mechanisms underlying SIT with recombinant hypoallergens which are thought to be responsible for their therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Linhart
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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7
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Abstract
Because of the need to standardize allergen immunotherapy and the desire to reduce allergic adverse events during therapy, a transition to recombinant/synthetic hypoallergenic approaches is inevitable. Evidence supports the notion that effective therapy can be delivered using a limited panel of allergens or even epitopes, weakening the argument that all allergens must be present for optimal efficacy. Moreover, standardized products will allow direct comparisons between studies and, for the first time, immunotherapy studies will be truly blinded, allowing an accurate assessment of the actual treatment effect that can be achieved with this form of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Larché
- Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, HSC 4H20, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada.
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8
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Mutschlechner S, Deifl S, Bohle B. Genetic allergen modification in the development of novel approaches to specific immunotherapy. Clin Exp Allergy 2009; 39:1635-42. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2009.03317.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Rolland JM, Gardner LM, O'Hehir RE. Allergen-related approaches to immunotherapy. Pharmacol Ther 2008; 121:273-84. [PMID: 19111571 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2008.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2008] [Accepted: 11/18/2008] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Allergic diseases, including asthma, rhinitis and eczema, represent a major health burden worldwide. Mainstay treatments are allergen avoidance where feasible and pharmacotherapy for symptom relief. For selected patients, allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) offers the prospect of long lasting clinical efficacy. SIT involves the administration of allergen extract using a standardized regimen, usually subcutaneously or increasingly sublingually. However, application of this potentially curative treatment is restricted, largely due to the risk of serious adverse events, especially in asthmatics and for potent allergens such as peanut, seafood and latex. New insights into immunological mechanisms underlying effective SIT and molecular characterization of allergens and their recognition by the immune system suggest strategies for refinement of SIT. Selective targeting of allergen-specific T cells, especially regulatory T cells, is likely to be pivotal for efficacy. Recombinant allergens lacking IgE reactivity and small T cell epitope-based peptides are being trialled clinically with evidence of efficacy without serious IgE-mediated adverse reactions. Adjuvants, either co-administered or incorporated into a recombinant allergen vaccine to target tolerogenic dendritic cells may also increase efficacy. The safer sublingual route of allergen administration is attracting interest and different allergen forms may be optimal for inducing tolerance by this route. Defined allergen-derived molecules or peptides offer ease of standardization and, coupled with appropriate targeting of immunoregulatory mechanisms, will result in more widespread clinical use of SIT. Adjunct therapies such as anti-IgE antibody and corticosteroids may minimize the likelihood of adverse reactions in those with severe allergic disease who would most benefit from this treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Rolland
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Commercial Road, Melbourne Vic 3004, Australia.
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10
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Verdino P, Barderas R, Villalba M, Westritschnig K, Valenta R, Rodriguez R, Keller W. Three-dimensional structure of the cross-reactive pollen allergen Che a 3: visualizing cross-reactivity on the molecular surfaces of weed, grass, and tree pollen allergens. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:2313-21. [PMID: 18250440 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.4.2313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Two EF-hand calcium-binding allergens (polcalcins) occur in the pollen of a wide variety of unrelated plants as highly cross-reactive allergenic molecules. We report the expression, purification, immunological characterization, and the 1.75-A crystal structure of recombinant Che a 3 (rChe a 3), the polcalcin from the weed Chenopodium album. The three-dimensional structure of rChe a 3 resembles an alpha-helical fold that is essentially identical with that of the two EF-hand allergens from birch pollen, Bet v 4, and timothy grass pollen, Phl p 7. The extensive cross-reactivity between Che a 3 and Phl p 7 is demonstrated by competition experiments with IgE Abs from allergic patients as well as specific Ab probes. Amino acid residues that are conserved for the two EF-hand allergen family were identified in multiple sequence alignments of polcalcins from 15 different plants. Next, the three-dimensional structures of rChe a 3, rPhl p 7, and rBet v 4 were used to identify conserved amino acids with high surface exposition to visualize surface patches as potential targets for the polyclonal IgE Ab response of allergic patients. The essentially identical three-dimensional structures of rChe a 3, rPhl p 7, and rBet v 4 explain the extensive cross-reactivity of allergic patients IgE Abs with two EF-hand allergens from unrelated plants. In addition, analyzing the three-dimensional structures of cross-reactive Ags for conserved and surface exposed amino acids may be a first approach to mapping the conformational epitopes on disease-related Ags that are recognized by polyclonal patient Abs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Verdino
- Institute of Chemistry, Structural Biology, University of Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28, Graz, Austria
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11
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Abstract
Type I allergy represents an important health problem that affects more than 25% of the population in industrialized countries. Specific immunotherapy is one of the few causative treatment approaches for type I allergy and is currently performed with crude allergen extracts, which consist of a mixture of allergenic and nonallergenic components, are difficult to standardize and cannot be applied according to the patient's reactivity profile. With the introduction of molecular biological techniques into allergy research, a large panel of individual recombinant allergens has become available. Recombinant allergens can be used for improved diagnosis of allergy to determine the patient's sensitization profile, which is a prerequisite to select the allergens for patient-tailored immunotherapy. They allow the elucidation of the properties of allergens and of the mechanisms of allergy as well as of the mechanisms of immunotherapy. Moreover, recombinant allergens allow the development of hypoallergenic allergen derivatives with reduced allergenic activity and retained immunogenicity. First immunotherapy trials with hypoallergenic allergen derivatives have shown that this treatment might improve immunotherapy in the near future. This review summarizes the results, which were obtained with recombinant allergens and hypoallergenic allergen derivatives. The experiences from the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the hypoallergenic derivatives and from clinical studies as well as the contribution of hypoallergenic derivatives to develop new treatment strategies and possibly prophylactic vaccination strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Vrtala
- Division of Immunopathology, Department for Pathophysiology, Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Larché M, Akdis CA, Valenta R. Immunological mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy. Nat Rev Immunol 2006; 6:761-71. [PMID: 16998509 DOI: 10.1038/nri1934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 557] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Allergen-specific immunotherapy has been carried out for almost a century and remains one of the few antigen-specific treatments for inflammatory diseases. The mechanisms by which allergen-specific immunotherapy exerts its effects include the modulation of both T-cell and B-cell responses to allergen. There is a strong rationale for improving the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy by reducing the incidence and severity of adverse reactions mediated by IgE. Approaches to address this problem include the use of modified allergens, novel adjuvants and alternative routes of administration. This article reviews the development of allergen-specific immunotherapy, our current understanding of its mechanisms of action and its future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Larché
- Division of Clinical Immunology & Allergy, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5, Canada.
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13
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Abstract
The application of recombinant DNA technology to allergen research has provided the sequence information and genetic material to produce new types of allergy vaccines. One general strategy has been to use the knowledge to produce synthetic peptides that represent selected T-cell or B-cell epitopes. The production of genetically engineered allergens provides an alternative strategy to construct hypoallergenic vaccines, which can provide a better and less selected representation of the epitopes. Many strategies have been used to produce such hypoallergens, and their ability to reduce allergenicity has been amply demonstrated by skin and nasal provocation tests. The retention of T cell-stimulating activity has also been demonstrated, and a consistent feature of the vaccines has been, despite the reduced immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding reactivity, the ability to induce anti-allergen IgG antibody. The lead hypoallergens have been polypeptide fragments and trimeric constructs of the birch allergen Bet v 1. A clinical trial with these medicaments has shown the ability to modify IgE and IgG antibody production, skin test reactivity, and symptom scores. This is the first trial of a recombinant allergy vaccine, and it has set a benchmark for further studies. A new generation of hypoallergens is now being produced based on the detailed knowledge of the tertiary structures of the allergens and of the T-cell and B-cell epitopes. The modifications have been made to change the topography of the allergens while retaining a stable, folding structure. In the case of Bet v 1, tertiary structures of hypoallergens have been determined. Structurally modeled hypoallergens have been produced for pollen, venom, food, and latex allergens, with promising characteristics from preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne R Thomas
- Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, PO Box 855, West Perth 6872, 100 Roberts Road, Subiaco 6008, Western Australia.
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14
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Larché M. Peptide therapy for allergic diseases: basic mechanisms and new clinical approaches. Pharmacol Ther 2005; 108:353-61. [PMID: 16014312 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2005.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2005] [Accepted: 05/16/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Desensitising allergen immunotherapy has been practised for many decades. Although time consuming, this form of therapy is antigen-specific and disease-modifying, in contrast to palliative pharmacotherapy. However, the use of allergen extracts containing native allergen molecules frequently results in allergic adverse reactions to treatment. Several strategies to reduce the allergenicity of therapeutic preparations, while maintaining their therapeutic benefit, are being developed. Peptide immunotherapy is one such approach. Short synthetic peptides, comprising T cell epitopes of major allergens, were unable to crosslink allergen-specific IgE molecules on basophils in vitro. Treatment of allergic volunteers with allergen peptides resulted in reduced skin, lung and nasal sensitivity to allergen challenge and improved their subjective ability to tolerate allergen exposure. Peptides reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion from peripheral blood cells, whilst increasing the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10. Furthermore, peptide therapy was associated with the induction of a population of CD4+ T cells with a suppressive functional phenotype. Thus, peptide therapy may be suitable for the antigen-specific treatment of allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Larché
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Dovehouse Street, London SW3 6LY, United Kingdom.
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15
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Mothes N, Horak F, Valenta R. Transition from a Botanical to a Molecular Classification in Tree Pollen Allergy: Implications for Diagnosis and Therapy. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2004; 135:357-73. [PMID: 15583457 DOI: 10.1159/000082332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tree pollens are among the most important allergen sources. Allergic cross-reactivity to pollens of trees from various plant orders has so far been classified according to botanical relationships. In this context, cross-reactivities to pollens of trees of the Fagales order (birch, alder, hazel, hornbeam, oak, chestnut), fruits and vegetables, between pollens of the Scrophulariales (olive, ash, plantain, privet, lilac) and pollens of the Coniferales (cedar, cypress, pine) are well established. The application of molecular biology methods for allergen characterization has revealed the molecular nature of many important tree pollen allergens. We review the spectrum of tree pollen allergens and propose a classification of tree pollen and related allergies based on major allergen molecules instead of botanical relationships among the allergenic sources. This molecular classification suggests the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1 as a marker for Fagales pollen and related plant food allergies, the major olive pollen allergen, Ole e 1, as a possible marker for Scrophulariales pollen allergy and the cedar allergens, Cry j 1 and Cry j 2, as potential markers for allergy to Coniferales pollens. We exemplify for Fagales pollen allergy and Bet v 1 that major marker allergens are diagnostic tools to determine the disease-eliciting allergen source. Information obtained by diagnostic testing with marker allergens will be important for the appropriate selection of patients for allergen-specific forms of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Mothes
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Pathophysiology, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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16
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Specific immunotherapy is a clinically effective causative treatment for allergic conditions. However, the reagents used for immunotherapy are crude extracts prepared from natural sources with potential life-threatening anaphylactic side effects. Molecular cloning of allergens has made it feasible to design novel therapeutic approaches for improved and safer forms of allergen-specific immunotherapy. The purpose of this review is to examine recent advances made in the last 2 years in genetic engineering of allergens for specific immunotherapy. RECENT FINDINGS Genetic engineering of allergen with nil or low IgE reactivity but retained T-cell reactivity offers a novel therapeutic approach to improving safety and efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy. Hypoallergenic forms of major allergens have been produced, with reduced IgE epitopes while preserving other characteristics of the molecule to induce a protective response. SUMMARY Hypoallergenic forms of major allergens are potential candidates for allergen-specific immunotherapy in the future. These genetically engineered hypoallergens now need to be tested in clinical trials before being widely used. Safer and more efficacious vaccines would increase patient compliance leading to extensive use of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prem L Bhalla
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research, Institute of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Buhot C, Chenal A, Sanson A, Pouvelle-Moratille S, Gelb MH, Ménez A, Gillet D, Maillère B. Alteration of the tertiary structure of the major bee venom allergen Api m 1 by multiple mutations is concomitant with low IgE reactivity. Protein Sci 2004; 13:2970-8. [PMID: 15459335 PMCID: PMC2286571 DOI: 10.1110/ps.04885404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We have engineered a recombinant form of the major bee venom allergen (Api m 1) with the final goal of reducing its IgE reactivity. This molecule (Api mut) contains 24 mutations and one deletion of 10 amino acids. The successive introduction of these sequence modifications led to a progressive loss of specific IgE and IgG reactivity and did not reveal any immunodominant epitopes. However, Api mut exhibited a clear loss of reactivity for Api m 1-specific IgE and IgG. Injection of Api mut into mice induced specific antibody production. This humoral response was as high as that induced by the Api m 1 but the cross-reactivity of the antibodies was weak. As inferred by far UV circular dichroism, this mutant was correctly folded. However, near UV circular dichroism and denaturation curves of Api mut showed that it exhibits a dynamic tertiary structure and that it is a highly flexible molecule. Finally, as all the sequence modifications have been introduced outside the human and murine T cell epitope regions, we investigated its T cell properties in mice. We showed that Api mut-specific T lymphocytes induced in vivo were stimulated in vitro by both proteins. These data provide new insights in the design of hypoallergenic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Buhot
- Protein Engineering and Research Department, bâtiment 152, CEA-Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France
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Westritschnig K, Focke M, Verdino P, Goessler W, Keller W, Twardosz A, Mari A, Horak F, Wiedermann U, Hartl A, Thalhamer J, Sperr WR, Valent P, Valenta R. Generation of an allergy vaccine by disruption of the three-dimensional structure of the cross-reactive calcium-binding allergen, Phl p 7. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2004; 172:5684-92. [PMID: 15100313 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.9.5684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The grass pollen allergen, Phl p 7, belongs to a family of highly cross-reactive calcium-binding pollen allergens. Because Phl p 7 contains most of the disease-eliciting epitopes of pollen-derived calcium-binding allergens, hypoallergenic variants were engineered according to the x-ray crystal structure of Phl p 7 for allergy vaccination. In three recombinant variants, amino acids essential for calcium binding were mutated, and two peptides comprising the N- and C-terminal half were obtained by synthetic peptide chemistry. As determined by circular dichroism analysis and size exclusion chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, recombinant mutants showed altered structural fold and lacked calcium-binding capacity, whereas the two synthetic peptides had completely lost their structural fold. Allergic patients' IgE Ab binding was strongest reduced to the variant containing two mutations in each of the two calcium-binding sites and to the peptides. Basophil histamine release and skin test experiments in allergic patients identified the peptides as the vaccine candidates with lowest allergenic activity. Immunization of rabbits with the peptides induced IgG Abs that blocked allergic patients' IgE binding to Phl p 7 and inhibited allergen-induced basophil degranulation. Our results indicate that disruption of an allergen's three-dimensional structure represents a general strategy for the generation of hypoallergenic allergy vaccines, and demonstrate the importance of allergen-specific IgG Abs for the inhibition of immediate allergic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Westritschnig
- Department of Pathophysiology, Vienna General Hospital, AKH, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Neudecker P, Nerkamp J, Eisenmann A, Nourse A, Lauber T, Schweimer K, Lehmann K, Schwarzinger S, Ferreira F, Rösch P. Solution structure, dynamics, and hydrodynamics of the calcium-bound cross-reactive birch pollen allergen Bet v 4 reveal a canonical monomeric two EF-hand assembly with a regulatory function. J Mol Biol 2004; 336:1141-57. [PMID: 15037075 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2003.12.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2003] [Revised: 12/24/2003] [Accepted: 12/24/2003] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Birch pollinosis is one of the prevailing allergic diseases. In all, 5-20% of birch pollinotics mount IgE antibodies against the minor birch pollen allergen Bet v 4, a Ca2+-binding polcalcin. Due to IgE cross-reactivity among the polcalcins these patients are polysensitized to various plant pollens. Determination of the high-resolution structure of holo Bet v 4 by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy reveals a canonical two EF-hand assembly in the open conformation with interhelical angles closely resembling holo calmodulin. The polcalcin-specific amphipathic COOH-terminal alpha-helix covers only a part of the hydrophobic groove on the molecular surface. Unlike the polcalcin Phl p 7 from timothy grass, which was recently shown to form a domain-swapped dimer, the hydrodynamic parameters from NMR relaxation, NMR translational diffusion, and analytical ultracentrifugation indicate that both apo and holo Bet v 4 are predominantly monomeric, raising the question of the physiological and immunological significance of the dimeric form of these polcalcins, whose physiological function is still unknown. The reduced helicity and heat stability in the CD spectra, the poor chemical shift dispersion of the NMR spectra, and the slightly increased hydrodynamic radius of apo Bet v 4 indicate a reversible structural transition upon Ca2+ binding, which explains the reduced IgE binding capacity of apo Bet v 4. The remarkable structural similarity of holo Bet v 4 and holo Phl p 7 in spite of different oligomerization states explains the IgE cross-reactivity and indicates that canonical monomers and domain-swapped dimers may be of similar allergenicity. Together with the close structural homology to calmodulin and the hydrophobic ligand binding groove this transition suggests a regulatory function for Bet v 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Neudecker
- Lehrstuhl für Biopolymere, Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany.
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Vrtala S, Focke-Tejkl M, Swoboda I, Kraft D, Valenta R. Strategies for converting allergens into hypoallergenic vaccine candidates. Methods 2004; 32:313-20. [PMID: 14962766 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2003.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/21/2003] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific immunotherapy is based on the administration of increasing doses of allergens to allergic patients with the aim of inducing a state of antigen-specific unresponsiveness. Specific immunotherapy is one of the few causative treatment approaches for Type I allergy but may cause numerous side effects, including local inflammatory reactions, systemic manifestations (e.g., asthma attacks) and in the worst case, anaphylactic shock which may lead to death. Several attempts have been made in the past to reduce the rate of side effects. They included the chemical modification of allergen extracts to reduce their allergenic activity and the adsorption of allergen extracts to adjuvants to prevent the systemic release of allergens after administration. During the last decade, cDNAs coding for the most relevant allergens have been isolated and the corresponding allergens have been produced as recombinant molecules. Using allergen-encoding cDNAs, the amino acid sequence of allergens or purified recombinant allergens several strategies can now be applied to produce allergen derivatives with reduced allergenic activity for allergy vaccination in a controlled and reproducible manner. Currently, allergen-encoding cDNAs are used to engineer recombinant hypoallergenic allergen derivatives. According to the amino acid sequences and experimental epitope mapping data, synthetic peptides representing T- or B-cell epitopes are produced and purified recombinant allergens are coupled to novel adjuvants for vaccine formulation. In this article, strategies for the production and evaluation of allergen derivatives with reduced allergenic activity for allergy vaccination are described. These new vaccines hold great promise to improve the current practice of allergen-specific immunotherapy and maybe also used for prophylactic vaccination in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Vrtala
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria
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Affiliation(s)
- Fátima Ferreira
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Valenta R, Ball T, Focke M, Linhart B, Mothes N, Niederberger V, Spitzauer S, Swoboda I, Vrtala S, Westritschnig K, Kraft D. Immunotherapy of allergic disease. Adv Immunol 2004; 82:105-53. [PMID: 14975256 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2776(04)82003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R Valenta
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology, University of Vienna, Medical School, Austria
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de Weerd N, Bhalla PL, Singh MB. Effect of cysteine mutagenesis on human IgE reactivity of recombinant forms of the major rye grass pollen allergen Lol p 1. Allergol Int 2003. [DOI: 10.1046/j.1323-8930.2003.00300.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Abstract
During the past decade, genetic information for most of the common allergens has been obtained. Using these genetic blueprints it has become possible to reconstruct, by recombinant DNA technology, almost complete repertoires of the relevant allergens and their epitopes. Recombinant allergens with the allergenic features of naturally occurring allergens have promoted allergy research and form the basis of new multiallergen tests for refined allergy diagnosis. Allergen derivatives with reduced allergenic activity have also been produced by recombinant DNA technology to increase safety and specificity of allergen-specific immunotherapy. These derivatives can be engineered to contain relevant T cell epitopes and to maintain those sequence motifs which are required for inducing protective antibody responses and therefore hold great promise for improving allergen-specific immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf Valenta
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna General Hospital, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Ariizumi T, Kishitani S, Inatsugi R, Nishida I, Murata N, Toriyama K. An increase in unsaturation of fatty acids in phosphatidylglycerol from leaves improves the rates of photosynthesis and growth at low temperatures in transgenic rice seedlings. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2002; 43:751-758. [PMID: 12154137 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcf087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The level of cis-unsaturated fatty acids in phosphatidylglycerol (PG) from rice leaves was genetically altered from 19.3% in the wild-type to 29.4 and 32.0% in T1 plants segregated with cDNAs for glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase of chloroplasts (GPAT; EC 2.3.1.15) from Arabidopsis (+AGPAT plant) and spinach (+SGPAT plant), respectively; and to 21.4% in a non-transformant segregated from +SGPAT plants (-SGPAT plant). In all these plants, O2 evolution from leaves was similar at 25 degrees C and was impaired to a similar extent at 5 and 11 degrees C. However, in parallel with the levels of cis-unsaturated fatty acids in PG, +AGPAT and +SGPAT plants showed less impaired rates of O(2) evolution from leaves than the wild-type and -SGPAT plants at 14 and 17 degrees C. In agreement with this, the fresh weight of 14-day-old seedlings increased to 571 + or - 18, 591 + or - 23, 687 + or - 32 and 705 + or - 31 mg in the wild-type, -SGPAT, +AGPAT and +SGPAT plants, respectively, after 6 weeks at 17/14 degrees C (day/night). These results demonstrate the practical importance of the present technology with GPAT in improvement of the chilling sensitivity of crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tohru Ariizumi
- Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 981-8555 Japan
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27
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Swoboda I, De Weerd N, Bhalla PL, Niederberger V, Sperr WR, Valent P, Kahlert H, Fiebig H, Verdino P, Keller W, Ebner C, Spitzauer S, Valenta R, Singh MB. Mutants of the major ryegrass pollen allergen, Lol p 5, with reduced IgE-binding capacity: candidates for grass pollen-specific immunotherapy. Eur J Immunol 2002; 32:270-80. [PMID: 11782018 DOI: 10.1002/1521-4141(200201)32:1<270::aid-immu270>3.0.co;2-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
More than 400 million individuals are sensitized to grass pollen allergens. Group 5 allergens represent the most potent grass pollen allergens recognized by more than 80 % of grass pollen allergic patients. The aim of our study was to reduce the allergenic activity of group 5 allergens for specific immunotherapy of grass pollen allergy. Based on B- and T-cell epitope mapping studies and on sequence comparison of group 5 allergens from different grasses, point mutations were introduced by site-directed mutagenesis in highly conserved sequence domains of Lol p 5, the group 5 allergen from ryegrass. We obtained Lol p 5 mutants with low IgE-binding capacity and reduced allergenic activity as determined by basophil histamine release and by skin prick testing in allergic patients. Circular dichroism analysis showed that these mutants exhibited an overall structural fold similar to the recombinant Lol p 5 wild-type allergen. In addition, Lol p 5 mutants retained the ability to induce proliferation of group 5 allergen-specific T cell lines and clones. Our results demonstrate that a few point mutations in the Lol p 5 sequence yield mutants with reduced allergenic activity that represent potential vaccine candidates for immunotherapy of grass pollen allergy.
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MESH Headings
- Allergens/genetics
- Allergens/immunology
- Allergens/isolation & purification
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Amino Acids
- Antigens, Plant
- Basophils/immunology
- Binding Sites
- Cell Division
- Clone Cells
- Conserved Sequence
- Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/isolation & purification
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/isolation & purification
- Histamine Release
- Humans
- Hypersensitivity/prevention & control
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate/immunology
- Immunoglobulin E/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Active
- Lolium/immunology
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
- Plant Proteins/genetics
- Plant Proteins/immunology
- Plant Proteins/isolation & purification
- Pollen/immunology
- Protein Folding
- Protein Structure, Secondary
- Recombination, Genetic
- Skin/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Swoboda
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Hill PB, DeBoer DJ. The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (IV): environmental allergens. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2001; 81:169-86. [PMID: 11553378 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-2427(01)00298-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Numerous environmental allergens have been incriminated in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (AD). These include dust and storage mite antigens, house dust, pollens from grasses, trees and weeds, mould spores, epidermal antigens, insect antigens, and miscellaneous antigens such as kapok. In this paper, we review the literature concerning the allergens that have been reported to contribute to canine AD. We conclude that attempts to identify the relevant canine antigens in the past have been plagued by a lack of standardisation of extracts and techniques, and the presence of false-positive and -negative reactions in allergy tests. Until these problems are rectified, it is unlikely that we will be able to provide a list of major and minor antigens for dogs. Hence, we recommend that future studies should be aimed at determining the major patterns of reactivity and cross-reactivity to specific protein allergens within antigenic extracts using electrophoresis and immunoblotting techniques. Once this information becomes available, it may be possible to use a selection of genetically engineered, highly pure antigens for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in canine allergy investigations. The use of such antigens will allow standardisation of canine allergy testing and immunotherapy so that the reliability and efficacy of these procedures can be objectively assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P B Hill
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK.
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Lorenz AR, Scheurer S, Haustein D, Vieths S. Recombinant food allergens. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 2001; 756:255-79. [PMID: 11419718 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(01)00086-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Allergenic (glyco)proteins are the elicitors of food allergies and can cause acute severe hypersensitivity reactions. Recombinant food allergens are available in standardised quantity and constant quality. Therefore, they offer new perspectives to overcome current difficulties in the diagnosis, treatment and investigation of food allergies. This review summarises the expression strategies and characteristics of more than 40 recombinant food allergens that have been produced until today. Their IgE-binding properties are compared to those of their natural counterparts, in addition their application as diagnostic tools, the generation of hypoallergenic recombinant isoforms and mutants for therapeutic purposes, the determination of epitopes and cross-reactive structures are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Lorenz
- Department of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
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30
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Yasuhara T, Takai T, Yuuki T, Okudaira H, Okumura Y. Biologically active recombinant forms of a major house dust mite group 1 allergen Der f 1 with full activities of both cysteine protease and IgE binding. Clin Exp Allergy 2001; 31:116-24. [PMID: 11167959 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2001.00945.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Group 1 allergens from mite faeces, Der f 1 and Der p 1, are the most significant in-door allergens. Therefore, they are the most important component in the standardization of house dust mite extract for diagnosis and allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT). Although their cDNAs have been cloned, efforts to prepare biologically active recombinant forms in expression systems using bacteria or yeast have failed. OBJECTIVE Our purpose is to establish an efficient system to prepare recombinant Der f 1(rDer f 1), identical in quality to native Der f 1. METHODS The preproforms of Der f 1 and a mutant N53Q, whose consensus motif for N-glycosylation was disrupted, were expressed in yeast Pichia pastoris. Cysteine protease activity and IgE reactivity were analysed using synthetic substrates and by RAST-EIA, respectively. RESULTS The proforms of the two rDer f 1 molecules were efficiently secreted into culture medium. Their prosequences were removed autocatalytically by dialysis against acidic buffer. Although the wild-type rDer f 1 was more highly glycosylated than native Der f 1, N53Q had almost the same apparent molecular weight as native Der f 1 on SDS-PAGE. Both the protease and IgE binding activities of the mature rDer f 1 molecules were the same as those of native Der f 1, whereas the proforms had no or markedly reduced activities. CONCLUSION The efficient system to prepare active rDer f 1s established in this study is useful for diagnosis and standardized AIT for house dust mite allergy. Furthermore, the system would be a tool for analysis of IgE epitopes, determination of tertiary structure, allergen engineering for safer and more effective AIT, resolving the relation between the enzymatic activity and pathogenesis, and the development of therapeutic inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Yasuhara
- Bioscience Research and Development Laboratory, Asahi Breweries Ltd, 1-21, Midori 1-chome, Moriya-machi, Kitasoma-gun, Ibaraki, Japan
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Takai T, Ichikawa S, Yokota T, Hatanaka H, Inagaki F, Okumura Y. Unlocking the allergenic structure of the major house dust mite allergen der f 2 by elimination of key intramolecular interactions. FEBS Lett 2000; 484:102-7. [PMID: 11068041 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(00)02096-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We report on the structural background of the remarkable reduction of allergenicity in engineering of the major house dust mite allergen Der f 2. Disruption of intramolecular disulfide bonds in Der f 2 caused extensive conformational change that was monitored by circular dichroism and gel-filtration analysis. The degree of conformational change correlated well with the degree of reductions in the capacity to bind IgE and to induce histamine release from basophils in mite-allergic patients. Loosening the rigid tertiary structure by elimination of key intramolecular interactions is an effective strategy to reduce the number of high affinity IgE epitopes of allergen vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Takai
- Bioscience Research and Development Laboratory, Asahi Breweries, Ltd; Ibaraki, Japan.
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32
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Flicker S, Vrtala S, Steinberger P, Vangelista L, Bufe A, Petersen A, Ghannadan M, Sperr WR, Valent P, Norderhaug L, Bohle B, Stockinger H, Suphioglu C, Ong EK, Kraft D, Valenta R. A human monoclonal IgE antibody defines a highly allergenic fragment of the major timothy grass pollen allergen, Phl p 5: molecular, immunological, and structural characterization of the epitope-containing domain. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2000; 165:3849-59. [PMID: 11034391 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.7.3849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Almost 90% of grass pollen-allergic patients are sensitized against group 5 grass pollen allergens. We isolated a monoclonal human IgE Fab out of a combinatorial library prepared from lymphocytes of a grass pollen-allergic patient and studied its interaction with group 5 allergens. The IgE Fab cross-reacted with group 5A isoallergens from several grass and corn species. By allergen gene fragmentation we mapped the binding site of the IgE Fab to a 11.2-kDa N-terminal fragment of the major timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 5A. The IgE Fab-defined Phl p 5A fragment was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Circular dichroism analysis revealed that the rPhl p 5A domain, as well as complete rPhl p 5A, assumed a folded conformation consisting predominantly of an alpha helical secondary structure, and exhibited a remarkable refolding capacity. It reacted with serum IgE from 76% of grass pollen-allergic patients and revealed an extremely high allergenic activity in basophil histamine release as well as skin test experiments. Thus, the rPhl p 5A domain represents an important allergen domain containing several IgE epitopes in a configuration optimal for efficient effector cell activation. We suggest the rPhl p 5A fragment and the corresponding IgE Fab as paradigmatic tools to explore the structural requirements for highly efficient effector cell activation and, perhaps later, for the development of generally applicable allergen-specific therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Flicker
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Vienna, Austria
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Rolland JM, Douglass J, O'Hehir RE. Allergen immunotherapy: current and new therapeutic strategies. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2000; 9:515-27. [PMID: 11060692 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.9.3.515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Allergic individuals respond to an environmental allergen encounter by producing T-cell cytokines, predominantly IL-4 and IL-5, which in turn drive the production of allergen-specific IgE antibodies and recruitment of an eosinophil-rich inflammatory infiltrate. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) involves the repeated injection of the allergen to specifically downregulate this predominantly Th2-type immune response. SIT is a clinically proven effective treatment for allergic diseases, including rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. However, despite having been in clinical practice since early this century, its use remains empirical. Best practice protocols are based on clinical experience and include recommendations for selecting patients for treatment, SIT regimes and avoidance of adverse events. More rational and safer SIT regimes will result from new insights into the underlying immune mechanisms for allergic disease, in particular the critical role of helper T-cells in orchestrating this response. The development of recombinant techniques for producing purified allergens and allergen derivatives has led to a dramatic improvement in the ability to standardise allergen preparations and to develop novel vaccines for allergy treatment. Potential vaccines include short peptides based on dominant T-cell epitopes of allergens, allergen fragments and mutant allergens. All of these preparations are designed to target T-cells without binding IgE and inducing local and systemic side effects. Additional strategies under consideration include DNA vaccines and fusion protein constructs incorporating immunomodulatory elements such as bacterial cell proteins, cytokines and immunostimulatory sequences of DNA. Different forms of allergens are being evaluated for the more practical mucosal administration of allergy vaccines. The identification of recombinant allergens suitable for diagnostic use and the development of reliable laboratory assays, based on T-cell function to monitor clinical efficacy of SIT, are important practical outcomes from this research.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Rolland
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Monash University Medical School, Commercial Road, Prahran, Victoria 3181, Australia.
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Bernard H, Meisel H, Creminon C, Wal JM. Post-translational phosphorylation affects the IgE binding capacity of caseins. FEBS Lett 2000; 467:239-44. [PMID: 10675546 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(00)01164-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
IgE response specific to those molecular regions of casein that contain a major phosphorylation site was analyzed using native and modified caseins and derived peptides. This study included (i) the naturally occurring common variants A1 and A from beta- and alphas2-caseins, respectively, which were purified in the native form and then dephosphorylated, (ii) a purified rare variant D of alphas2-casein which lacks one major phosphorylation site, and (iii) the native and dephosphorylated tryptic fragment f(1-25) from beta-casein. Direct and indirect ELISA using sera from patients allergic to milk showed that the IgE response to caseins is affected by modifying or eliminating the major phosphorylation site.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Bernard
- Laboratoire d'Immuno-Allergie Alimentaire, INRA-CEA, SPI, Bâtiment 136, Saclay, 91191, Gif sur Yvette, France.
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36
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Murphy DJ. Is rapeseed really an allergenic plant? Popular myths versus scientific realities. IMMUNOLOGY TODAY 1999; 20:511-4. [PMID: 10529779 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-5699(99)01538-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D J Murphy
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK NR4 7UH.
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37
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Valenta R, Lidholm J, Niederberger V, Hayek B, Kraft D, Grönlund H. The recombinant allergen-based concept of component-resolved diagnostics and immunotherapy (CRD and CRIT). Clin Exp Allergy 1999; 29:896-904. [PMID: 10383589 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1999.00653.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 412] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R Valenta
- Department of General and Experimental Pathology, Vienna General Hospital, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Valenta R, Vrtala S, Focke-Tejkl M, Ball T, Twardosz A, Spitzauer S, Grönlund H, Kraft D. Genetically engineered and synthetic allergen derivatives: candidates for vaccination against type I allergy. Biol Chem 1999; 380:815-24. [PMID: 10494830 DOI: 10.1515/bc.1999.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Type I allergy, a hypersensitivity disease affecting almost 20% of the population worldwide, is based on the IgE recognition of otherwise harmless antigens (i.e., allergens). Allergen-induced crosslink of effector cell-bound IgE antibodies leads to the release of biological mediators and thus to immediate disease symptoms (allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma). Specific immunotherapy, the only causative treatment of Type I allergy, is based on the administration of increasing doses of allergens to allergic patients in order to yield allergen-specific non-responsiveness. Major disadvantages are 1. that current forms of allergen immunotherapy are performed with allergens difficult to standardize which cannot be matched to the patients reactivity profile and 2. that the administration of active allergen preparations can cause anaphylactic side effects. Through the application of molecular biological techniques many relevant environmental allergens have been produced as active recombinant proteins which allow component-resolved allergy diagnosis and thus represent the basis for patient-tailored forms of immunotherapy. Here we review molecular strategies which have been recently applied to generate genetically engineered and synthetic hypoallergenic allergen derivatives for patient-tailored and safe vaccination against Type I allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Valenta
- Dept. of General and Experimental Pathology, Vienna General Hospital, University of Vienna, Austria
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