Cloning and expression of the cyclophilin Bet v 7, and analysis of immunological cross-reactivity among the cyclophilin A family

Mol Immunol. 2006 Feb;43(3):226-35. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2005.02.001. Epub 2005 Mar 2.

Abstract

Allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals are caused by proteins named allergens. We report here the cloning and the production of the cyclophilin Bet v 7, one of the birch pollen allergens. Recombinant Bet v 7 was produced in bacteria and used to raise a rabbit anti-Bet v 7 antiserum. With this antiserum we detected cyclophilin A in several pollen species and we demonstrated immunological cross-reactivity among those plant cyclophilins A by immunoblot and ELISA inhibition experiments. However, we could not detect cyclophilins in extracts of animal or mould origin with our anti-Bet v 7 antiserum. By inhibition experiments with purified mould cyclophilins, we confirmed the absence of cross-reactivity between plant cyclophilins and non-plant cyclophilins. In addition, our results indicate that the level of immunological cross-reactivity correlates with the level of sequence identity among the cyclophilin A family. This allowed us to define the plant cyclophilin A sub-family as being immunologically distinct, which might have implications at the clinical level in the allergy practice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / genetics*
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / chemistry
  • Antigens, Plant
  • Betula / chemistry
  • Betula / genetics*
  • Betula / immunology
  • Cyclophilin A / chemistry
  • Cyclophilin A / genetics*
  • Cyclophilin A / immunology
  • Fungi / chemistry
  • Fungi / genetics
  • Fungi / immunology
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Leaves / genetics*
  • Plant Leaves / immunology
  • Plant Proteins / genetics*
  • Plant Proteins / immunology
  • Pollen / genetics
  • Pollen / immunology
  • Rabbits
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antibodies
  • Antigens, Plant
  • Bet v 7 protein, Betula verrucosa
  • Plant Proteins
  • Cyclophilin A