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Strong and frequent T‐cell responses to the minor allergen Phl p 12 in Spanish patients IgE‐sensitized to Profilins
Author(s) -
Lund G.,
Brand S.,
Ramos T.,
Jimeno L.,
Boissy P.,
Vega F.,
Arina M.,
Christensen L. H.,
Hoof I.,
Meno K. H.,
Barber D.,
Blanco C.,
Würtzen P. A.,
Andersen P. S.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.13351
Subject(s) - profilin , epitope , allergen , immunology , immunoglobulin e , sensitization , cross reactivity , allergy , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , antigen , cell , antibody , biochemistry , cross reactions , actin cytoskeleton , cytoskeleton
Background Profilins are dominant pan‐allergens known to cause cross‐sensitization, leading to clinical symptoms such as pollen‐food syndrome. This study aimed to determine the T‐cell response to Phl p 12 in profilin‐sensitized patients, by measuring the prevalence, strength and cross‐reactivity to clinically relevant profilins. Methods The release of Phl p allergens from pollen was determined by mass spectrometry and immunochemistry. T‐cell responses, epitope mapping and cross‐reactivity to profilins (Phl p 12, Ole e 2, Bet v 2 and Mal d 4) were measured in vitro using PBMC s from 26 Spanish grass‐allergic donors IgE‐sensitized to profilin. Cross‐reactivity was addressed in vivo using 2 different mouse strains ( BALB /c and C3H). Results Phl p 12 and Phl p 1 are released from pollen simultaneously and in similar amounts. Both T‐cell response frequency (17/26 donors) and strength were comparable between Phl p 12 and Phl p 1. T‐cell cross‐reactivity to other profilins correlated with overall sequence homology, and 2 immunodominant epitope regions of Phl p 12 were identified. Data from mice immunized with Phl p 12 showed that cross‐reactivity to Bet v 2 was mediated by conserved epitopes and further influenced by additional genetic factors, likely to be MHC II . Conclusion The strength, prevalence and cross‐reactivity of T‐cell responses towards Phl p 12 are comparable to the major allergen Phl p 1, which supports the hypothesis that T cells to Phl p 12 can play an important role in development of allergic symptoms, such as those associated with pollen‐food syndrome.