Treatment with a Fel d 1 hypoallergen reduces allergic responses in a mouse model for cat allergy

Abstract

Background: A hypoallergen of the major cat allergen Fel d 1, recombinant (r) Fel d 1 (DTE III), was previously shown to have retained T-cell reactivity and strongly reduced IgE-binding capacity compared to unmodified rFel d 1. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic capacity of rFel d 1 (DTE III) in a mouse model for cat allergy.

Methods: Mice were subcutaneously (s.c.) sensitized with rFel d 1 and subsequently treated (s.c.) with 50 or 200 μg rFel d 1 (DTE III), or 50 μg rFel d 1, prior to intranasal challenge with cat dander extract. Airway hyperreactivity (AHR), cells and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, splenocyte in vitro response, and serum immunoglobulins were analyzed. Seven cat-allergic patients and ten healthy controls were tested for skin prick test (SPT) reactivity to rFel d 1 (DTE III) and rFel d 1.

Results: Mice treated with 50 and 200 μg rFel d 1 (DTE III), and 50 μg rFel d 1, produced increased serum levels of rFel d 1-specific IgG1 and IgG2a compared to sham-treated mice. IgG from all treatment groups could block binding of patients' IgE to rFel d 1. The 200 μg rFel d 1 (DTE III) treatment tended to reduce AHR. All mice tolerated treatment with rFel d 1 (DTE III), in contrast to only four of ten treated with rFel d 1. Compared to rFel d 1, the hypoallergen showed a tendency of reduced SPT reactivity.

Conclusion: The rFel d 1 (DTE III) hypoallergen might be a promising candidate for application in immunotherapy of cat allergy with improved safety and efficacy.