Antigenic epitopes and cross-reactivity analysis of tropomyosin from Oratosquilla oratorio

Food Funct. 2024 Dec 9;15(24):12180-12192. doi: 10.1039/d4fo04792c.

Abstract

Tropomyosin (TM) has been determined as the major allergen in Oratosquilla oratoria. However, little information is available about its antigenic epitopes and cross-reactivity. In this study, recombinant TM was obtained through genetic engineering and its IgG-/IgE-binding activity was similar to native TM. Subsequently, four T-cell epitopes were identified by using bioinformatics technology combined with CD4+ T-cell proliferation assay, and seven B-cell epitopes were identified by bioinformatics technology combined with serological assay. Moreover, dot blot analysis showed that TM had cross-reactivity among O. oratoria and other shellfish by using IgE polycolonal antibody from sera of shrimp-sensitive individuals or O. oratoria TM-immunized mice. Interestingly, three T-cell epitopes (AA4-24, AA194-212, and AA221-243) and four B-cell epitopes (AA85-100, AA121-138, AA209-233, and AA242-259) of TM in O. oratoria were conserved between O. oratoria and other shellfish, which may be the main reason for the cross-reactivity between them. In summary, these findings could serve for the diagnosis and prevention of shrimp allergy.

MeSH terms

  • Allergens* / chemistry
  • Allergens* / immunology
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cross Reactions*
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / chemistry
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E* / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Shellfish / analysis
  • Shellfish Hypersensitivity* / immunology
  • Tropomyosin* / chemistry
  • Tropomyosin* / immunology

Substances

  • Tropomyosin
  • Allergens
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • Epitopes