Analysis of T cell responses to the major allergens from German cockroach: epitope specificity and relationship to IgE production

J Immunol. 2012 Jul 15;189(2):679-88. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1200694. Epub 2012 Jun 15.

Abstract

Bla g allergens are major targets of IgE responses associated with cockroach allergies. However, little is known about corresponding T cell responses, despite their potential involvement in immunopathology and the clinical efficacy of specific immunotherapy. Bioinformatic predictions of the capacity of Bla g 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 peptides to bind HLA-DR, -DP, and -DQ molecules, and PBMC responses from 30 allergic donors, identified 25 T cell epitopes. Five immunodominant epitopes accounted for more than half of the response. Bla g 5, the most dominant allergen, accounted for 65% of the response, and Bla g 6 accounted for 20%. Bla g 5 induced both IL-5 and IFN-γ responses, whereas Bla g 6 induced mostly IL-5, and, conversely, Bla g 2 induced only IFN-γ. Thus, responses to allergens within a source are independently regulated, suggesting a critical role for the allergen itself, and not extraneous stimulation from other allergens or copresented immunomodulators. In comparing Ab with T cell responses for several donor/allergen combinations, we detected IgE titers in the absence of detectable T cell responses, suggesting that unlinked T cell-B cell help might support development of IgE responses. Finally, specific immunotherapy resulted in IL-5 down modulation, which was not associated with development of IFN-γ or IL-10 responses to any of the Bla g-derived peptides. In summary, the characteristics of T cell responses to Bla g allergens appear uncorrelated with IgE responses. Monitoring these responses may therefore yield important information relevant to understanding cockroach allergies and their treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Allergens / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / immunology*
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • HLA-DP Antigens / metabolism
  • HLA-DQ Antigens / metabolism
  • HLA-DR Antigens / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / biosynthesis*
  • Insect Proteins / immunology*
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
  • Tropomyosin / immunology*
  • Tropomyosin / metabolism

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Bla g 5 allergen, Blattella germanica
  • Bla g 6 allergen, Blattella germanica
  • Bla g 7 allergen, Blattella germanica
  • Blatella germanica allergen 4
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • HLA-DP Antigens
  • HLA-DQ Antigens
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Insect Proteins
  • Tropomyosin
  • allergen Bla g 1
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • allergen Bla g 2