Hypoallergenic variants of the major latex allergen Hev b 6.01 retaining human T lymphocyte reactivity

J Immunol. 2004 Nov 1;173(9):5872-9. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.9.5872.

Abstract

Hev b 6.01 is a major allergen of natural rubber latex with sensitization of 70-86% of latex glove-allergic subjects. Recently, we mapped the immunodominant T cell sites of Hev b 6.01 to the highly IgE-reactive hevein (Hev b 6.02) domain. Hev b 6.01 contains 14 cysteine residues with multiple disulphide bridges stabilizing tertiary conformation. With the goal of a standardized specific immunotherapy we developed hypoallergenic Hev b 6.01 mutants by site-directed mutagenesis of selected cysteine residues (3, 12, 17, and 41) within the Hev b 6.02 domain. Peptides corresponding to the Hev b 6.02 domain of two of the mutants were also synthesized. These mutants and peptide variants showed markedly decreased or ablated latex-allergic patient serum IgE binding by immunoblotting and ELISA. Basophil activation testing confirmed markedly decreased activation with successive cysteine substitutions of the mutants and complete abrogation with the Hev b 6.02 (Cys 3, 12, 17, 41 Ala) peptide. Retention of T cell reactivity is crucial for effective specific immunotherapy and all mutants and peptide variants maintained their latex-specific T cell reactivity. The ablated allergenicity but retained T cell reactivity of the Hev b 6.02 (Cys 3, 12, 17, 41 Ala) peptide suggests this peptide is a suitable candidate for inclusion in a latex immunotherapy preparation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution / genetics
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / genetics
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / immunology*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / metabolism
  • Basophils / immunology
  • Basophils / metabolism
  • Binding, Competitive / genetics
  • Binding, Competitive / immunology
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • Cell Division / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Desensitization, Immunologic* / methods
  • Disulfides / chemistry
  • Down-Regulation
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin E / metabolism
  • Latex Hypersensitivity / diagnosis
  • Latex Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Plant Lectins / genetics
  • Plant Lectins / immunology*
  • Plant Lectins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Disulfides
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Plant Lectins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • hevein
  • Immunoglobulin E