Clonal analysis of the atopic immune response to the group 2 allergen of Dermatophagoides spp.: identification of HLA-DR and -DQ restricted T cell epitopes

Int Immunol. 1993 Dec;5(12):1589-97. doi: 10.1093/intimm/5.12.1589.

Abstract

The group 2 allergens of Dermatophagoides spp. (house dust mite, HDM) are a major immunological target for IgE antibodies in the allergic immune response of HDM atopic individuals. In this report the heterogeneity of the T cell repertoire reactive with the group 2 allergen of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 2) of a HDM allergic individual was investigated using overlapping synthetic peptides. By clonal analysis four distinct T cell epitopes were identified, located within residues 16-31, 22-40, 82-100, and 111-129. The importance of these epitopes was confirmed by investigation of the peripheral T cell repertoire, with the polyclonal T cell response to Der p 2 failing to show marked variations in epitope specificity over time. Serological inhibition studies and the use of Epstein-Barr virus transformed B cell lines characterized for their expression of HLA-D region gene products demonstrated that recognition of peptides 16-31 and 111-129 was restricted by HLA-DQ (DQB1*0301), whereas peptide 82-100 is recognized in association with HLA-DR (DRB1*1101). Peptide 22-40 was presented by both HLA-DRB1*1101 and -DQB1*0301 class II molecules. The potential application of these findings lies in the design of peptide-based immunotherapeutics for the management of HDM allergic disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Clone Cells
  • Epitopes / analysis*
  • Glycoproteins / immunology
  • HLA-DQ Antigens / physiology*
  • HLA-DR Antigens / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Immediate / genetics*
  • Mites / immunology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Epitopes
  • Glycoproteins
  • HLA-DQ Antigens
  • HLA-DR Antigens