Der p 1-based immunotoxin as potential tool for the treatment of dust mite respiratory allergy

Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 23;10(1):12255. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-69166-w.

Abstract

Immunotoxins appear as promising therapeutic molecules, alternative to allergen-specific-immunotherapy. In this work, we achieved the development of a protein chimera able to promote specific cell death on effector cells involved in the allergic reaction. Der p 1 allergen was chosen as cell-targeting domain and the powerful ribotoxin α-sarcin as the toxic moiety. The resultant construction, named proDerp1αS, was produced and purified from the yeast Pichia pastoris. Der p 1-protease activity and α-sarcin ribonucleolytic action were effectively conserved in proDerp1αS. Immunotoxin impact was assayed by using effector cells sensitized with house dust mite-allergic sera. Cell degranulation and death, triggered by proDerp1αS, was exclusively observed on Der p 1 sera sensitized-humRBL-2H3 cells, but not when treated with non-allergic sera. Most notably, equivalent IgE-binding and degranulation were observed with both proDerp1αS construct and native Der p 1 when using purified basophils from sensitized patients. However, proDerp1αS did not cause any cytotoxic effect on these cells, apparently due to its lack of internalization after their surface IgE-binding, showing the complex in vivo panorama governing allergic reactions. In conclusion, herein we present proDerp1αS as a proof of concept for a potential and alternative new designs of therapeutic tools for allergies. Development of new, and more specific, second-generation of immunotoxins following proDerp1αS, is further discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology*
  • Arthropod Proteins / immunology*
  • Basophils / immunology
  • Basophils / metabolism
  • Cell Degranulation
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / immunology*
  • Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / immunology*
  • Desensitization, Immunologic
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Hypersensitivity / therapy*
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Immunotoxins / administration & dosage*
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Arthropod Proteins
  • Immunotoxins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1