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Human T cells that have been conditioned by the proteolytic activity of the major dust mite allergen Der p 1 trigger enhanced immunoglobulin E synthesis by B cells
Author(s) -
Ghaemmaghami A. M.,
Shakib F.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2002.01374.x
Subject(s) - immunoglobulin e , il 2 receptor , antibody , proteolytic enzymes , interleukin 4 , immunology , cd23 , biology , cytokine , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , t cell , immune system , biochemistry , enzyme
Summary Background We have previously demonstrated that the proteolytic activity of Der p 1 selectively cleaves human CD25, the 55 kDa α subunit of the IL‐2 receptor. As a result of cleavage of surface CD25, peripheral blood T cells produce less IFN‐γ and more IL‐4, thereby leading to progressive polarization of the T cells towards a Th2 cytokine profile. Therefore, these observations underline the potential role of the proteolytic activity of Der p 1 in creating a microenvironment conducive for IgE synthesis. Objective To study the effect of T cells that have been conditioned by the proteolytic activity of Der p 1 on IgE synthesis by B cells. Methods We have examined this concept in experiments whereby T cells that have been exposed to either proteolytically active or inactive Der p 1 were cocultured with autologous B cells and IgE antibody synthesis was monitored. Results Here we demonstrate for the first time that coculturing T cells that have been in contact with proteolytically active Der p 1 with autologous B cells leads to augmentation of IgE antibody responses. Conclusions The proteolytic activity of Der p 1 conditions human T cells, which then become empowered to trigger enhanced IgE synthesis by B cells.