Epitope mapping and in silico characterization of interactions between Der p 7 allergen and MoAb WH9

PLoS One. 2013 Aug 5;8(8):e71269. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071269. Print 2013.

Abstract

Der p 7 is an important house dust mite allergen. However, antigenic determinants of Der p 7 are largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to analyze the determinants of Der p 7 and determine the structural basis of interactions between Der p 7 and WH9, an IgE-binding inhibition mouse monoclonal antibody (MoAb). IgE and WH9-reactive determinant(s) was identified by immunoblot using allergen mutants. A 3-D binary complex structure of Der p 7 and WH9 was simulated with homology modeling and docking methods. Our results obtained showed that among the five Der p 7 mutants (S156A, I157A, L158A, D159A, P160A), serum no. 1045 with IgE-binding against Der p 7 exhibited a reduced IgE immunoblot reactivity against Der p 7 L158A and D159A mutants. WH9 showed reduced immunoblot reactivity against S156A, L158A, D159A and P160A and the observation was confirmed by immunoblot inhibition. The WH9-binding determinant on Der p 7 containing S156, L158, D159 and P160 assumes a loop-like structure. The structural model of the Der p 7-WH9 complex suggests residues S156, I157, L158, D159 and P160 of Der p 7 contribute to WH9 binding via potential hydrogen bonds, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. In conclusion, MoAb WH9 interacts with critical residues L158 and D159 of Der p 7 and inhibits IgE-binding to Der p 7. Results obtained advance our understanding on molecular and structural bases of the antigenicity of Der p 7, its interactions with MoAb WH9 and facilitate the design of safer immunotherapy of human atopic disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism*
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / chemistry
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / genetics
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology*
  • Arthropod Proteins / chemistry
  • Arthropod Proteins / genetics
  • Arthropod Proteins / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Computational Biology*
  • Epitope Mapping / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin E / metabolism
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Maps* / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Arthropod Proteins
  • Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 7
  • Immunoglobulin E

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Science Council (Grant NSC98-2320-B-075-003-MY3) and the Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Grant V101C-004), Taipei, Taiwan. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.