Abstract
An epitope expression cDNA library was constructed from the randomly fragmented cDNA coding for Phl p I, the major grass pollen allergen. Using IgE from allergic patients, epitope clones were isolated and immunodominant fragments were selected. Among three epitope clones coding for a similar region of Phl p I, one clone expressed a 15-amino-acid epitope which was target for IgE antibodies from approximately 30% of grass pollen allergic patients. According to the prevalence of grass pollen allergy, 22% of all allergic patients are expected to display IgE reactivity with this epitope. Although the purified recombinant epitope specifically bound IgE, it did not release histamine from basophiles of most grass pollen allergic patients and thus represents an IgE hapten. Immunodominant IgE haptens may be useful as therapeutic agents to saturate mast cell-bound IgE prior to allergen exposure and may represent candidates for a safe immunotherapy of allergic diseases by reducing anaphylactic side effects.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Allergens*
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Antigen-Antibody Complex
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Base Sequence
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Basophils / drug effects
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Basophils / immunology
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DNA, Complementary
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Epitopes / biosynthesis
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Epitopes / immunology*
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Epitopes / isolation & purification
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Escherichia coli
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Gene Library
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Haptens / biosynthesis
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Haptens / immunology*
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Haptens / isolation & purification
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Histamine Release / drug effects
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin E / immunology*
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
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Peptide Fragments / immunology
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Plant Proteins / biosynthesis
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Plant Proteins / immunology*
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Plant Proteins / isolation & purification
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Poaceae / immunology
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Pollen
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Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
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Recombinant Proteins / immunology
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Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
Substances
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Allergens
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Antigen-Antibody Complex
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DNA, Complementary
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Epitopes
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Haptens
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Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
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Peptide Fragments
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Plant Proteins
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Recombinant Proteins
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PHLPI protein, Phleum pratense
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Immunoglobulin E