In pursuit of the “holy grail”: recombinant allergens and peptides as catalysts for the allergen‐specific immunotherapy

Abstract

This presentation reviews recent progress in knowledge of (i) molecular biology and immunology of allergens and (ii) the methods for the modulation of allergen-specific immune response, with special emphasis on our grass pollen allergens, particularly Pao p IX AL, used as a model. The last few years have seen tremendous progress in molecular characterization of allergens, leading to synthesis of a number of recombinant allergens. Furthermore, studies of the structure-activity relationship of allergens have led to the delineation of the epitopes of these allergens and of widespread cross-reactivities among diverse allergens. In view of the requirement for extensive pre-clinical studies, the application of the recombinant allergens and epitopes in the clinical realm has just begun. Studies in murine systems suggest that these allergens and/or their epitopic peptides downregulate allergen-specific immune responses de novo. The potential and drawbacks of the recombinant allergens and peptides for improving the existing immunotherapeutic approaches and for developing new approaches to specific immunotherapy are discussed.

Host Genetic and Adjuvant Factors Influence Epitope Specificity to a Major Recombinant Grass Allergen

“…A representative ex periment is shown. Recently progress in the molecular characterization of allergens has led to the determination of the primary struc tures of the allergenic proteins, the synthesis of the corre sponding recombinant allergens in virtually unlimited quantities in Escherichia coli and other hosts, identification o f the structures of the T and B cell epitopes of the allergens, delineation of cross-reactivities among different allergens and their epitopes [25], Clearly, however the development of new immunotherapeutic modalities with the aid of re combinant allergens and their epitopes is dependent on the comprehensive analysis of the intrinsic and extrinsic fac tors, such as, the structural properties of the B cell epitopes, the availability and specificity o f T cell help, its dominance in relation to other epitopes and host immune responsive ness. In an effort to shed light on these aspects we have ex tended in this study our analysis of epitope-specific immune responses to the major recombinant grass allergen rKBG8.3.…”

Platelets and platelet alloantigens: Lessons from human patients and animal models of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia

“…99,153–157 T cells may then stimulate B cells to become activated and differentiate into plasma cells and secrete antigen-specific IgG antibodies. Macrophages themselves may also directly stimulate the differentiation of B cells to plasma cells.…”

Overview on denominated allergens

“…The aim is to standardize extracts and to perform diagnosis with small, clearly defined panels of purified allergens. Recombinant allergens and peptides are hoped to act as catalysts for the allergen-specific immunotherapy [26].…”