T cell epitopes of the timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 5 of mice and men and the detection of allergen-specific T cells using Class II Ultimers.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Knowledge of allergen-specific T cell epitopes is a prerequisite not only for therapeutic approaches but also for elucidating immunological mechanisms of type I allergy. Ex vivo detection of allergen-specific T cells using class II tetramer technology has become an important tool for investigating immune responses in atopic and healthy individuals.

METHODS:

Using (3)H-thymidine incorporation assays, T cell epitopes specific for the major timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 5.0101 were mapped in 11 allergic donors and two different mouse strains. Different protocols for expansion/restimulation of T cells from the blood of allergic donors and detection of allergen-specific T cells by Class II Ultimer staining were evaluated.

RESULTS:

We identified several new Phl p 5.0101 class II T cell epitopes in allergic patients and confirmed previously published ones. Additionally, we discovered the major T cell epitopes in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Using a novel Class II Ultimer, we detected epitope-specific T cells expanded from the blood of an allergic donor.

CONCLUSIONS:

Epitope mapping of Phl p 5.0101 revealed an immunodominant epitope in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice and an immunodominant region in humans (amino acids 259-282), which was recognized by 8 out of 11 allergic donors. Detection of Phl p 5-specific T cells was demonstrated using a Class II Ultimer specific for epitope 196-210. Successful detection of ultimer-positive T cells was strongly dependent on a resting phase after in vitro expansion.

• Authors: Angelika Stoecklinger, Sandra Scheiblhofer, Elisabeth Roesler, Andreas Lang, Gerd Fastner, Felix Sedlmayer, Roland Lang, Martin Danzer, Josef Thalhamer, Richard Weiss
• Journal: International archives of allergy and immunology (Int Arch Allergy Immunol) Vol. 158 Issue 4 Pg. 326-34 ( 2012) ISSN: 1423-0097 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 22472723 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
• Immunodominant Epitopes
• Phl p V protein, Phleum pratense
• Plant Proteins
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Epitope Mapping
• Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte (immunology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunodominant Epitopes (immunology)
• Immunoglobulin E (blood, immunology)
• Lymphocyte Activation (immunology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Plant Proteins (immunology)
• Staining and Labeling
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)