T cell epitopes of house dust mite major allergen Der p II

J Immunol. 1993 Aug 15;151(4):2326-35.

Abstract

Recent work has indicated the significance of IL-4- and IL-5-secreting allergen-specific human Th2 lymphocytes in the control of immune responses to allergens in atopic individuals. The precise allergenic epitopes that activate these allergen-specific Th2 cells are, however, hardly known. We analyzed the epitope-specificity of T lymphocytes specific for Der p II, one of the major allergens of house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Using a panel of overlapping synthetic peptides that span the entire Der p II molecule, we could demonstrate that polyclonal Der p II-specific T cell lines prepared from the peripheral blood of five atopic patients can react with at least 10 different epitopes of the molecule. Each donor showed a different pattern of reactivity with the synthetic peptides, suggesting that Der p II contains multiple T cell epitopes that may differ from individual to individual. We studied the specificity of the T cell response to Der p II in more detail in one atopic patient using a short term polyclonal T cell line that strongly reacted to one single peptide (116-129) of the allergen. From this patient we established a panel of 11 Der p II-specific TLC. Ten TLC were of the CD3+ CD4+ phenotype and showed a high IL-4/IFN-gamma production ratio, whereas another TLC expressed CD3 and CD8 and failed to secrete substantial IL-4 and IFN-gamma. The use of at least four different TCR V beta gene segments was shown within this panel TLC. All TLC tested recognized the allergen in an HLA-DR1-restricted manner. Although this patient reacted to only one peptide on the polyclonal level, two T cell epitopes were identified on the clonal level by using synthetic peptides and autologous APC to stimulate the TLC. Combining data of CD4/CD8 expression, TCR V beta usage, and epitope specificity, at least six different types of Der p II-specific TLC could be identified within this patient. Binding of IgE to all synthetic peptides of Der p II is low and of low affinity, which may be of particular importance with respect to possible desensitization protocols using such peptides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epitopes
  • Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor
  • Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • HLA-DR Antigens / immunology
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mites / immunology*
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Epitopes
  • Glycoproteins
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Immunoglobulin E