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Wolf M, Aglas L, Twaroch TE, Steiner M, Huber S, Hauser M, Hofer H, Parigiani MA, Ebner C, Bohle B, Briza P, Neubauer A, Stolz F, Wallner M, Ferreira F. Endolysosomal protease susceptibility of Amb a 1 as a determinant of allergenicity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018; 141:1488-1491.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Hofer H, Weidinger T, Briza P, Asam C, Wolf M, Twaroch TE, Stolz F, Neubauer A, Dall E, Hammerl P, Jacquet A, Wallner M. Comparing Proteolytic Fingerprints of Antigen-Presenting Cells during Allergen Processing. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18061225. [PMID: 28594355 PMCID: PMC5486048 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Endolysosomal processing has a critical influence on immunogenicity as well as immune polarization of protein antigens. In industrialized countries, allergies affect around 25% of the population. For the rational design of protein-based allergy therapeutics for immunotherapy, a good knowledge of T cell-reactive regions on allergens is required. Thus, we sought to analyze endolysosomal degradation patterns of inhalant allergens. Four major allergens from ragweed, birch, as well as house dust mites were produced as recombinant proteins. Endolysosomal proteases were purified by differential centrifugation from dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells, and combined with allergens for proteolytic processing. Thereafter, endolysosomal proteolysis was monitored by protein gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. We found that the overall proteolytic activity of specific endolysosomal fractions differed substantially, whereas the degradation patterns of the four model allergens obtained with the different proteases were extremely similar. Moreover, previously identified T cell epitopes were assigned to endolysosomal peptides and indeed showed a good overlap with known T cell epitopes for all four candidate allergens. Thus, we propose that the degradome assay can be used as a predictor to determine antigenic peptides as potential T cell epitopes, which will help in the rational design of protein-based allergy vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Hofer
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
| | - Tamara Weidinger
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
| | - Peter Briza
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
| | - Claudia Asam
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
| | - Martin Wolf
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
| | | | | | | | - Elfriede Dall
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
| | - Peter Hammerl
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
| | - Alain Jacquet
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Michael Wallner
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
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Twaroch TE, Curin M, Sterflinger K, Focke-Tejkl M, Swoboda I, Valenta R. Specific Antibodies for the Detection of Alternaria Allergens and the Identification of Cross-Reactive Antigens in Other Fungi. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2016; 170:269-278. [PMID: 27780168 PMCID: PMC5321516 DOI: 10.1159/000449415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The mould Alternaria alternata is an important source of respiratory allergens. A. alternata extracts show great variations regarding allergenic potency. The aim of this study was to generate antibody probes specific for important Alternaria allergens and to use them to study allergen expression, depending on different culture conditions, as well as to search for cross-reactive allergens in other mould species. Methods Synthetic peptides from antigenic regions of A. alternata allergens (Alt a 1, Alt a 2, Alt a 3, Alt a 6 and Alt a 8) were used to raise highly specific rabbit antibodies. These antibodies and IgE from allergic patients were used to detect allergens by immunoblotting in extracts of 4 A. alternata strains grown under varying culturing conditions, in commercial skin-prick extracts and in closely (Cladosporium herbarum and Aureobasidium pullulans) or distantly related (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum) mould species. Results There was a wide variation of expression of the individual A. Alternata allergens, depending on the strain and culture conditions, but the antibody probes allowed us to distinguish strains and culture conditions with low and high allergen expression. In the commercial skin-prick solutions, varying levels of Alt a 1 were found, but no other allergens were detectable. Alt a 1 was identified as species-specific A. Alternata allergen, whereas Alt a 3, 6- and Alt a 8-cross-reactive antigens were found in C. herbarum and/or A. pullulans. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Peptide-specific antibodies are useful to analyze diagnostic and therapeutic mould extracts, to study the presence of A. Alternata allergens in biological samples and to search for cross-reactive allergens in other mould species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa E Twaroch
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Selb R, Eckl-Dorna J, Twaroch TE, Lupinek C, Teufelberger A, Hofer G, Focke-Tejkl M, Gepp B, Linhart B, Breiteneder H, Ellinger A, Keller W, Roux KH, Valenta R, Niederberger V. Critical and direct involvement of the CD23 stalk region in IgE binding. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016; 139:281-289.e5. [PMID: 27343203 PMCID: PMC5321597 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The low-affinity receptor for IgE, FcεRII (CD23), contributes to allergic inflammation through allergen presentation to T cells, regulation of IgE responses, and enhancement of transepithelial allergen migration. OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate the interaction between CD23, chimeric monoclonal human IgE, and the corresponding birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 at a molecular level. METHODS We expressed 4 CD23 variants. One variant comprised the full extracellular portion of CD23, including the stalk and head domain; 1 variant was identical with the first, except for an amino acid exchange in the stalk region abolishing the N-linked glycosylation site; and 2 variants represented the head domain, 1 complete and 1 truncated. The 4 CD23 variants were purified as monomeric and structurally folded proteins, as demonstrated by gel filtration and circular dichroism. By using a human IgE mAb, the corresponding allergen Bet v 1, and a panel of antibodies specific for peptides spanning the CD23 surface, both binding and inhibition assays and negative stain electron microscopy were performed. RESULTS A hitherto unknown IgE-binding site was mapped on the stalk region of CD23, and the non-N-glycosylated monomeric version of CD23 was superior in IgE binding compared with glycosylated CD23. Furthermore, we demonstrated that a therapeutic anti-IgE antibody, omalizumab, which inhibits IgE binding to FcεRI, also inhibited IgE binding to CD23. CONCLUSION Our results provide a new model for the CD23-IgE interaction. We show that the stalk region of CD23 is crucially involved in IgE binding and that the interaction can be blocked by the therapeutic anti-IgE antibody omalizumab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Selb
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Eckl-Dorna
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Teresa E Twaroch
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Lupinek
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Gerhard Hofer
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Karl Franzens University, Graz, Austria
| | - Margarete Focke-Tejkl
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Gepp
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Linhart
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heimo Breiteneder
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adolf Ellinger
- Department of Cell Biology and Ultrastructure Research, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Karl Franzens University, Graz, Austria
| | - Kenneth H Roux
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- 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
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Twaroch TE, Curin M, Valenta R, Swoboda I. Mold allergens in respiratory allergy: from structure to therapy. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res 2015; 7:205-20. [PMID: 25840710 PMCID: PMC4397360 DOI: 10.4168/aair.2015.7.3.205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Allergic reactions to fungi were described 300 years ago, but the importance of allergy to fungi has been underestimated for a long time. Allergens from fungi mainly cause respiratory and skin symptoms in sensitized patients. In this review, we will focus on fungi and fungal allergens involved in respiratory forms of allergy, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Fungi can act as indoor and outdoor respiratory allergen sources, and depending on climate conditions, the rates of sensitization in individuals attending allergy clinics range from 5% to 20%. Due to the poor quality of natural fungal allergen extracts, diagnosis of fungal allergy is hampered, and allergen-specific immunotherapy is rarely given. Several factors are responsible for the poor quality of natural fungal extracts, among which the influence of culture conditions on allergen contents. However, molecular cloning techniques have allowed us to isolate DNAs coding for fungal allergens and to produce a continuously growing panel of recombinant allergens for the diagnosis of fungal allergy. Moreover, technologies are now available for the preparation of recombinant and synthetic fungal allergen derivatives which can be used to develop safe vaccines for the treatment of fungal allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa E Twaroch
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, 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
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Division of Immunopathology, 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.; The Molecular Biotechnology Section, University of Applied Sciences, Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
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Twaroch TE, Focke M, Fleischmann K, Balic N, Lupinek C, Blatt K, Ferrara R, Mari A, Ebner C, Valent P, Spitzauer S, Swoboda I, Valenta R. Carrier-bound Alt a 1 peptides without allergenic activity for vaccination against Alternaria alternata allergy. Clin Exp Allergy 2013; 42:966-75. [PMID: 22909168 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2012.03996.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mould Alternaria alternata is a major elicitor of allergic asthma. Diagnosis and specific immunotherapy (SIT) of Alternaria allergy are often limited by the insufficient quality of natural mould extracts. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether recombinant Alt a 1 can be used for reliable diagnosis of Alternaria alternata allergy and to develop a safe, non-allergenic vaccine for SIT of Alternaria allergy. METHODS The qualitative sensitization profile of 80 Alternaria-allergic patients from Austria and Italy was investigated using an allergen micro-array and the amount of Alternaria-specific IgE directed to rAlt a 1 was quantified by ImmunoCAP measurements. Peptides spanning regions of predicted high surface accessibility of Alt a 1 were synthesized and tested for IgE reactivity and allergenic activity, using sera and basophils from allergic patients. Carrier-bound peptides were studied for their ability to induce IgG antibodies in rabbits which recognize Alt a 1 and inhibit allergic patients' IgE reactivity to Alt a 1. RESULTS rAlt a 1 allowed diagnosis of Alternaria allergy in all tested patients, bound the vast majority (i.e. >95%) of Alternaria-specific IgE and elicited basophil activation already at a concentration of 0.1 ng/mL. Four non-allergenic peptides were synthesized which, after coupling to the carrier protein keyhole limpet hemocyanin, induced Alt a 1-specific IgG and inhibited allergic patients' IgE binding to Alt a 1. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE rAlt a 1 is a highly allergenic molecule allowing sensitive diagnosis of Alternaria allergy. Carrier-bound non-allergenic Alt a 1 peptides are candidates for safe SIT of Alternaria allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- T E Twaroch
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Hochwallner H, Schulmeister U, Swoboda I, Twaroch TE, Vogelsang H, Kazemi-Shirazi L, Kundi M, Balic N, Quirce S, Rumpold H, Fröschl R, Horak F, Tichatschek B, Stefanescu CL, Szépfalusi Z, Papadopoulos NG, Mari A, Ebner C, Pauli G, Valenta R, Spitzauer S. Patients suffering from non-IgE-mediated cow's milk protein intolerance cannot be diagnosed based on IgG subclass or IgA responses to milk allergens. Allergy 2011; 66:1201-7. [PMID: 21575008 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02635.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cow's milk is one of the most common causes of food allergy. In two-thirds of patients, adverse symptoms following milk ingestion are caused by IgE-mediated allergic reactions, whereas for one-third, the mechanisms are unknown. Aim of this study was to investigate whether patients suffering from non-IgE-mediated cow's milk protein intolerance can be distinguished from persons without cow's milk protein intolerance based on serological measurement of IgG and IgA specific for purified cow's milk antigens. METHODS We determined IgG(1-4) subclass and IgA antibody levels to purified recombinant αS1-casein, αS2-casein, β-casein, κ-casein, α-lactalbumin, and β-lactoglobulin in four patient groups by ELISA: Patients with IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy (CMA, n=25), patients with non-IgE-mediated cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI, n=19), patients with gastrointestinal symptoms not associated with cow's milk ingestion (GI, n=15) and control persons without gastrointestinal problems (C, n=26). Cow's milk-specific IgE levels were determined by ImmunoCAP. RESULTS Only CMA patients had IgE antibodies to cow's milk. Cow's milk allergic patients mounted the highest IgG(1) and IgG(4) antibody levels to αS1-casein, αS2-casein, β-casein, κ-casein, and α-lactalbumin. No elevated levels of IgG(4) , IgA, and complement-binding IgG subclasses (IgG(1) , IgG(2) , IgG(3) ) to purified cow's milk allergens were found within the CMPI patients compared to persons without cow's milk protein intolerance (GI and C groups). CONCLUSION Cow's milk protein intolerant patients cannot be distinguished from persons without cow's milk protein intolerance on the basis of IgG subclass or IgA reactivity to cow's milk allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hochwallner
- Department of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Twaroch TE, Focke M, Civaj V, Weber M, Balic N, Mari A, Ferrara R, Quirce S, Spitzauer S, Swoboda I, Valenta R. Carrier-bound, nonallergenic Ole e 1 peptides for vaccination against olive pollen allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011; 128:178-184.e7. [PMID: 21513971 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2010] [Revised: 03/03/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trees of the family Oleaceae (olive and ash) are important allergen sources in Mediterranean countries, Northern and Central Europe, and North America. The major olive pollen allergen Ole e 1 represents the majority of allergenic epitopes in olive pollen and cross-reacts with Fra e 1, the major ash pollen allergen. OBJECTIVE We sought to develop a safe vaccine for the treatment of Oleaceae pollen allergy. METHODS We synthesized 5 peptides ranging from 32 to 36 amino acids, which covered the whole sequence of Ole e 1. The IgE and T-cell reactivity of the peptides was compared with that of Ole e 1 by means of dot blot experiments, as well as ELISA, and in proliferation assays. Rabbits were immunized with non-IgE-reactive, keyhole limpet hemocyanin-coupled peptides or Ole e 1. The reactivity of the IgG antibodies with Ole e 1 and their ability to inhibit IgE binding to nOle e 1 was evaluated by means of ELISA. RESULTS Only the C-terminal Ole e 1 peptide showed IgE binding, whereas the other peptides were nonallergenic. Immunization of rabbits with Ole e 1-derived peptides bound to the carrier molecule keyhole limpet hemocyanin induced in rabbits the production of Ole e 1-specific IgG antibodies, which cross-reacted with Fra e 1, and inhibited olive and ash pollen-sensitized patients' IgE binding to Ole e 1. CONCLUSION Two non-IgE-binding peptides with low T-cell reactivity from the N-terminus of Ole e 1 were identified that might represent safe vaccine candidates for immunotherapy of Oleaceae pollen allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa E Twaroch
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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