Therapeutic Potential of Recombinant Allergens

Abstract

The application of molecular biology in recent years to the characterization of protein allergens has led to spectacular advances in the synthesis of cDNAs of several major allergens and in the determination of their primary structures. This information has in turn led to: (i) the synthesis of the corresponding recombinant allergens; (ii) the delineation of B- and T-cell epitopes of some of these allergens, and (iii) the demonstration of extensive cross-reactivities among individual members of a particular group of aero allergens. The availability of major allergens in pure form and virtually unlimited quantities makes it possible to evaluate the efficacy of novel therapeutic strategies, based on modern concepts of immunoregulation, for the suppression of IgE antibodies or inactivation of allergen-specific Th cells by chemically modified recombinant allergens or their appropriately modified epitopes. The potentials of some of these strategies and their possible advantages in relation to the currently used immunotherapy are discussed.

How far can we simplify in vitro diagnostics for Fagales tree pollen allergy? A study with three whole pollen extracts and purified natural and recombinant allergens

“…Several reports focusing on the use of recombinant birch pollen allergens have claimed that these molecules are suitable to replace pollen extracts for diagnostic purposes [ 9, 10, 20, 22–27]. In some cases, this judgement was primarily based on immunoblotting data.…”

Multiple B‐ and T‐cell epitopes on a major allergen of Kentucky Bluegrass pollen

“…1 Thus, peptides comprising the B-cell epitopes may be exploited for devising epitope-specific diagnosis 2 and for inducing allergen-specific B-cell tolerance. 3 Similarly, T-cell epitopes are considered to be relevant because the structural analogues of the corresponding peptides may be used to manipulate T-cell responses.…”

“…1 However, the progress in defining the epitopes of all grass allergens has been slow. We have previously reported molecular cloning and sequencing of a grass allergen, rKBG60, from Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) pollen.…”

“…The development of therapeutic strategies for allergic diseases that would specifically regulate IgE antibody production to defined allergens requires knowledge of the primary structure of individual allergens, in particular the knowledge of their epitopes, that are recognized by antibodies and T cells. 1 Thus, peptides comprising the B-cell epitopes may be exploited for devising epitope-specific diagnosis 2 and for inducing allergen-specific B-cell tolerance. 3 Similarly, T-cell epitopes are considered to be relevant because the structural analogues of the corresponding peptides may be used to manipulate T-cell responses.…”

“…The application of recombinant DNA and peptide synthesis technologies has led to the rapid growth of our knowledge of epitopes of allergenic proteins. 1 However, the progress in defining the epitopes of all grass allergens has been slow. We have previously reported molecular cloning and sequencing of a grass allergen, rKBG60, from Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) pollen.…”