人TLR2胞外区基因的原核表达及其抗体的制备

目的: 在原核系统中表达人Toll样受体2(TLR2)胞外区基因的融合蛋白并制备多克隆抗体.方法: 应用RT-PCR方法从人外周血单个核细胞中扩增TLR2胞外区基因, 将其克隆到表达载体pET-32a( )上构建重组原核表达质粒, 并在大肠杆菌中诱导表达, 目的融合蛋白经Ni-NTA亲和层析纯化, 用SDS-PAGE和 Western blot进行鉴定.用纯化的蛋白免疫新西兰白兔, 制备多克隆抗体, 采用Western blot对抗体进行鉴定, 并用ELISA分析抗体活性.结果: 成功构建了pET-32a( )-TLR2重组表达质粒并在大肠杆菌中进行表达, 获得了纯化重组蛋白, 重组蛋白免疫白兔后能够有效地刺激抗体产生, 并具有良好的免疫活性.结论: 成功地获得人TLR2胞外区基因的融合蛋白, 制备的多克隆抗体为进一步研究TLR2胞外区的功能和生物活性奠定基础.     

花生过敏原Ara h 8的克隆表达、纯化及免疫学鉴定

目的:克隆花生主要过敏原Ara h 8基因,表达并纯化该蛋白,检测其免疫活性。方法:提取花生总RNA,设计特异性引物,RT-PCR克隆花生Ara h 8基因;将反转录的基因连入pMD19-T Simple Vector,提质粒酶切鉴定并测序。将测序正确的片段连入原核表达载体pET-32a(+)上,并转入BL21(DE3)宿主表达菌中;IPTG诱导表达;通过Ni2+亲和层析(FPLC)纯化目的蛋白Ara h 8;Western blot检测该重组蛋白的免疫原性。结果:测序结果表明克隆的花生Ara h 8基因片段全长为474 bp,编码157个氨基酸,与GenBank中蛋白序列100%相同。重组蛋白纯化后经SDS-PAGE鉴定,目的蛋白大小与理论值相符。Western blot结果表明该蛋白与花生过敏病人混合血清中IgE结合,具有免疫原性。结论:成功克隆并表达纯化了花生过敏原Ara h 8,该基因表达的重组蛋白具有良好的免疫原性。     

猫过敏原白蛋白的克隆表达、纯化和免疫学特性鉴定

目的 克隆、表达猫过敏原白蛋白(Fel d 2),并分析其过敏原活性.方法 提取猫肝脏总RNA,逆转录合成cDNA,采用适宜引物进行PCR扩增目的 基因,随后将其克隆到原核表达载体PET24a( ),在大肠杆菌中进行表达,镍亲和柱层析法提纯重组蛋白,Western blot检测其过敏原活性.结果 序列分析表明所克隆白蛋白的序列由1 752 bp组成,编码584个氨基酸,与Genebank上的基因序列(NM 001009961)同源性为99.9%.SDS-PAGE显示表达的重组白蛋白Mr65 000.免疫印迹表明重组白蛋白具有与猫过敏原过敏病人血清IgE结合活性.结论 表达的重组白蛋白具有与猫过敏患者血清IgE结合活性.     

人Fkbp19的多克隆抗体的制备

目的:制备针对人Fkbp19的多克隆抗体,为进一步研究Fkbp19基因的功能奠定基础。方法:利用鉴定正确的重组原核表达载体pET21a-Fkbp19,在大肠杆菌BL21-DE3中诱导表达,应用Ni-NTA亲和层析法获得纯度较高的原核表达蛋白,并免疫家兔制备多克隆抗体,Western blot及免疫荧光的方法检测抗体对乳腺癌细胞中内源性Fkbp19蛋白的识别能力。结果:成功地在大肠杆菌中实现了His-Fkbp19融合蛋白的表达,经纯化后免疫家兔得到了高滴度的多克隆抗体,该抗体可以用Western blot的方法检测内源性Fkbp19蛋白。结论:所制备的多克隆抗体可以用于Fkbp19的Western blot检测。     

凡纳滨对虾次要过敏原肌质钙结合蛋白的质谱鉴定及免疫交叉反应

目的:质谱鉴定凡纳滨对虾相对分子质量(Mr)为21 000的次要过敏原组分肌质钙结合蛋白(SCP),分析它与其他虾、蟹等甲壳类过敏原的免疫交叉反应,以阐明SCP可作为甲壳类食物过敏原检测、检验及脱敏的标准过敏原物质。方法:运用MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS鉴定凡纳滨对虾Mr为21000的过敏原组分,利用软件BLAST、ClustalW分析甲壳类食物中该蛋白的氨基酸序列同源性,同时用纯化的21 000过敏原免疫小鼠制备其特异性多克隆抗体,通过该抗体与其他8种甲壳类食物蛋白粗提液的Western blot法结果分析该过敏原的免疫交叉反应。结果:质谱鉴定结果显示,凡纳滨对虾21 000过敏原为肌质钙结合蛋白;氨基酸序列同源性分析显示其与斑节对虾、中国对虾、克氏原螯虾、细趾小龙虾、褐虾的SCP序列一致性为81%～100%;Western blot结果显示,针对SCP的特异性多克隆抗体与凡纳滨对虾、刀额新对虾、斑节对虾、口虾蛄、罗氏沼虾、克氏原螯虾、远海梭子蟹、锈斑鲟、中华绒螯蟹粗提液在SCP对应的21 000左右处均有反应条带。结论:凡纳滨对虾Mr为21 000的次要过敏原为肌质钙结合蛋白,其氨基酸序列与多种甲壳类具有很高的同源性以及较强的免疫交叉反应。     

牛奶主要过敏原α_(s1)-酪蛋白全长与片段区基因的克隆表达、纯化及免疫原性鉴定

目的:克隆并表达牛奶中主要过敏原αs1-酪蛋白的全长及N端、C端两个片段区基因,用于筛选与制备牛奶主要过敏原的单克隆抗体。方法:利用RT-PCR技术克隆αs1-酪蛋白基因,测序后将目的片段克隆入原核表达质粒pET载体,转化至大肠杆菌(E.coli)BL21(DE3)。经IPTG诱导表达,获得重组αs1-酪蛋白。用Ni2+亲和层析柱纯化,用Western blot和ELISA检测重组蛋白与牛奶过敏患者血清IgE的结合活性。结果:克隆获得αs1-酪蛋白全长的开放阅读框基因为645bp(含终止密码子),编码214个氨基酸。N、C端片段区基因(含终止密码子)分别为285、294bp,编码94、97个氨基酸。三种重组蛋白均能以可溶性表达形式纯化,经Western blot和ELISA检测都具有较好的免疫原性,而αs1-酪蛋白全长的免疫原性更强。结论:成功地克隆和表达了αs1-酪蛋白全长及N、C端两个片段区基因,为研制牛奶主要过敏原的单克隆抗体,制备牛奶主要过敏原的检测试剂奠定了基础。     

热带剥爪螨变应原Blot 5的克隆表达、纯化及免疫学鉴定

目的:克隆热带剥爪螨主要变应原Blot 5基因,表达纯化该蛋白,并检测其免疫活性。方法:提取热带剥爪螨总RNA,采用RT-PCR的方法扩增Blot 5编码基因,将其连入原核表达载体pET-19b,将重组质粒转化入大肠杆菌BL21 Star(DE3)pLysS,IPTG诱导表达后,通过Ni2+亲和层析纯化重组变应原Blot 5。用Dot blot、Western blot和ELISA等方法检测重组变应原Blot 5免疫活性。结果:Dot blot和Western blot结果表明重组变应原Blot 5和热带剥爪螨粗提液都能和Blot 5鼠单克隆抗体结合。重组变应原Blot 5检测69份热带剥爪螨过敏患者血清和21份户尘螨过敏患者血清中的特异性IgE,阳性率分别为29.0%和33.3%。结论:表达和纯化了具有与天然蛋白相似的免疫活性的重组热带剥爪螨变应原Blot 5,可用于热带剥爪螨变应原的标准化,为标准化抗原的临床特异性诊断与治疗奠定基础。     

结核分枝杆菌毒力分泌基因Rv3872重组卡介苗的构建及表达

目的:构建结核分枝杆菌Rv3872的原核重组表达质粒pET-3872并对其进行表达及鉴定。构建表达结核分枝杆菌抗原蛋白Rv3872即PE35的重组卡介苗。方法:应用PCR技术扩增Rv3872基因,定向克隆入pET32a(+)并转化E.coli BL21(DE3)菌株,测序后用IPTG诱导蛋白表达,通过SDS-PAGE和Western blot对目的蛋白进行检测及鉴定。用纯化蛋白免疫新西兰大白兔制备多克隆抗体。构建重组穿梭表达质粒pMV-3872,将重组质粒电穿孔进入卡介苗,对重组卡介苗进行诱导表达用SDS-PAGE和Western blot检测和鉴定目的蛋白。结果:表达融合蛋白的pET-3872质粒构建成功,重组蛋白经Western blot检测出特异性阳性信号。重组卡介苗BCG-3872构建成功,热诱导表达后经SDS-PAGE和Western blot,在培养上清中检测到目的蛋白。结论:成功构建了重组质粒pET32a(+),并在大肠杆菌中表达了PE35蛋白,有利于进一步研究Rv3872基因功能。本研究还对表达结核分枝杆菌蛋白PE35的重组卡介苗进行了鉴定,为进一步研究该重组卡介苗的免疫功能奠定了基础。     

我国地方品种姜曲海猪TLR5基因的克隆、表达及鉴定

目的:克隆我国地方品种姜曲海猪TLR5基因,构建该基因的原核表达质粒,获得融合表达蛋白并鉴定其免疫特性,为进一步研制TLR5单克隆抗体(mAb)提供免疫原。方法:从全血中提取姜曲海猪的基因组,设计特异性引物,利用PCR方法扩增得到TLR5基因片段,PCR产物克隆到原核表达载体pET30a(+)中,构建重组表达质粒pET-TLR5,将重组表达质粒转化E.coli BL21,0.5 mmol/L IPTG诱导表达目的蛋白,应用SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析鉴定蛋白活性。结果:成功扩增出猪TLR5基因片段,大小为2 571 bp。酶切鉴定结果表明,猪的TLR5基因成功克隆入原核表达载体pET30a(+)中,重组质粒pET-TLR5在大肠杆菌中获得表达,SDS-PAGE结果显示出相对分子质量(Mr)大小约95 200;Western blot结果表明,表达产物与兔抗小鼠TLR5 mAb具有良好的反应性。结论:成功克隆并表达具有较好免疫原性的猪TLR5分子,为其mAb的制备提供生物材料。     

凡纳滨对虾主要过敏原-原肌球蛋白单克隆抗体的制备及其过敏原表位分析

目的制备凡纳滨对虾主要过敏原-原肌球蛋白的单克隆抗体(mAb),运用它们和虾过敏患者血清分析凡纳滨对虾原肌球蛋白的过敏原表位。方法纯化的凡纳滨对虾原肌球蛋白免疫Balb/c小鼠,间接ELISA和Western blot筛选并建立稳定分泌抗原肌球蛋白抗体的杂交瘤细胞株;腹水型mAbs经硫酸铵沉淀、Protein G亲和层析纯化;叠加ELISA分析mAbs的抗原结合表位;虾过敏患者血清lgE与mAbs的抑制Western blot和间接竞争ELISA分析原肌球蛋白的过敏原表位。结果共筛选出5株mAbs,它们之间叠加ELISA的叠加值均高于40%;其中B5和A5能显著抑制虾过敏患者血清IgE与原肌球蛋白的结合,抑制率分别为58.1%和48.6%,同时也能抑制66.7%和44.3%的血清IgE与虾蛋白粗提液反应。结论成功制备了5株分别结合原肌球蛋白不同抗原表位的单克隆抗体,其中B5和A5能结合其过敏原表位。     

cDNA cloning and molecular identification of the major oyster allergen from the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

BACKGROUND: Shellfish is one of the most common food allergens. Despite the recent cloning and molecular identification of the major heat stable crustacean allergens in shrimp, lobster and crab, there have been no similar studies on molluscs to which a significant portion of populations allergic to shellfish are also hypersensitive. Recent biochemical evidence suggests that tropomyosin is also an allergen in molluscs, but data on the molecular cloning, nucleotide sequencing, expression and IgE binding to mollusc tropomyosin are lacking. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to clone, identify and determine the primary structure of a major IgE-reactive mollusc allergen in oyster at the DNA and protein level. METHODS: We constructed an expression cDNA library from the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. This library was screened for IgE binding clones using sera from 15 subjects with a well-documented history of type I hypersensitivity reactions to oysters. An IgE reactive clone was selected and sub-cloned into plasmids for nucleotide sequence determination and expression in E. coli. RESULTS: We identified a 1.3-kb cDNA designated as Cra g 1.03. Expression of Cra g 1.03 in plasmid vector pGEX produced a 59-kDa recombinant fusion protein reactive to the IgE antibodies from patients with oyster allergies but not non-allergic controls. Cra g 1.03 has an open reading frame of 233 amino acids and demonstrates marked similarity in amino acid composition and peptide sequence with mollusc and crustacean tropomyosins. Absorption of oyster allergic sera with Cra g 1.03 totally removed IgE reactivity to oyster extract. Moreover, absorption of allergic sera with recombinant shrimp tropomyosin (Met e 1), lobster tropomyosin (Pan s 1) and crab tropomyosin (Cha f 1) removed most of the IgE reactivity to Cra g 1.03. CONCLUSION: Cra g 1.03 is the first oyster allergen identified at the molecular level. Nucleotide and amino acid comparison shows that this protein is the oyster tropomyosin.     

Molecular cloning of cDNA coding for the 68 kDa allergen of Penicillium notatum using MoAbs

To characterize the 68 kDa allergen of Penicillium notatum (also known as P. chrysogenum), a molecular antibody (MoAb) (P40) was previously generated. For cDNA cloning, three more MoAbs (3F, 5A3, 5G2) were generated in the present study. A mixture of all the four MoAbs was used in cloning of the gene coding for the 68 kDa allergen from a λgt11 cDNA library of P. chrysogenum. A cDNA clone (A6) with DNA insert of about 0.5 kb which encodes for the 3′-terminal nucleotide sequence of the 68 kDa allergen was obtained. The cloned sequence contained two putative N-glycosylation sites. The reduction in molecular weight from 68 to 62 kDa in immunoblotting after treatment of the crude extract of P. notatum with N-glycosidase F indicates that the 68 kDa allergen is a glycoprotein. Nucleotide sequence determination showed that 188 (54%) of the 348 nucleotides of the cDNA sequence obtained were identical to the same region of the nucleotide sequence of the beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase gene of Candida albicans. Although the cDNA clone obtained did not encode the full-length gene of the 68 kDa allergen, polypeptide expressed from the A6 cDNA showed positive immunological reactivities to all four MoAbs used in the cloning experiment and to IgE antibodies in sera of asthmatic patients. There was a loss of immunoblotting activity to the 68 kDa component after absorption of MoAb P40-containing culture supernatant with filters blotted on plaque lawns of cDNA clone A6. Moreover, the immunoblotting activity remained when the MoAbs affinity-purified with filters containing polypeptides encoded by the cDNA insert of clone A6 were used. These two observations indicate that clone A6, which encodes 117 amino acid residues of a putative 560-residue polypeptide, is a cDNA clone of the 68 kDa component of P. notatum. In conclusion, results obtained from cloning and characterization of a partial cDNA clone described in this study suggest that the 68 kDa allergen of P. notatum is a beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase.     

Cloning,isolation, and IgE-binding properties of Helix aspersa (brown garden snail) tropomyosin

BACKGROUND: Gastropod consumption is quite frequent in the Mediterranean countries and cross-reactivities with crustaceans have been described, but the mechanism of this allergenic cross-reactivity has not been studied in detail. This study aimed to produce recombinant Helix aspersa (brown garden snail) tropomyosin and investigate its implication for cross-reactivity among invertebrates. METHODS: A tropomyosin-specific cDNA encoding H. aspersa tropomyosin was synthetized, and recombinant allergen was overexpressed in Escherichia coli as nonfusion protein. IgE-binding reactivity was studied by immunoblotting and immunoblot inhibition experiments with sera from snail-allergic patients. RESULTS: Cloned brown garden snail tropomyosin shares high homology with other edible mollusk tropomyosins (84-69% identity) as well as with those from arthropods (65-62%), and less homology with vertebrate ones (56% identity). Tropomyosin reacted with 18% of the sera from patients with snail allergy. Inhibition experiments, using natural and recombinant tropomyosins, showed different degrees of cross-reactivity between invertebrate tropomyosins. Sera from snail-allergic subjects recognized tropomyosins in both mollusks and crustacean extracts. CONCLUSIONS: Tropomyosin represents a minor allergen in snail extracts, but it is clearly involved in invertebrate cross-reactivity.     

cDNA cloning and immunologic characterization of a novel EF-1beta allergen from Penicillium citrinum

BACKGROUND: We have identified previously that Penicillium citrinum is the most prevalent Penicillium species in the Taipei area. It is important to delineate the whole spectrum of allergenic components of this prevalent airborne fungus. The purpose of this study was to identify novel P. citrinum allergens through molecular cloning of allergen genes using a cDNA library of P. citrinum and sera from patients with bronchial asthma. METHODS: A lambda-Uni-ZAP XR-based cDNA library of P. citrinum was screened with sera from asthmatic patients. An IgE-binding cDNA clone was isolated and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The frequency of IgE-binding to the expressed protein and the IgE reactivity to allergen subunits were analyzed by immunoblotting. RESULTS: An IgE-reactive cDNA clone (clone B) was isolated by plaque immunoassay. The cDNA insert is 876-bp long and encodes a 228-amino acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 25 035 Da. Protein database search with the deduced clone B sequence revealed that 121 (53%) and 82 (36%) of the 228 amino acids were identical to those of the elongation factor 1-beta (EF-1beta) proteins from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, respectively. His-tagged recombinant clone B proteins were constructed and expressed in E. coli. Seven (8%) of the 92 serum samples from patients with bronchial asthma showed IgE-binding to the recombinant clone B protein. Among these seven positive sera, five demonstrated IgE-binding to the C-terminal fragment (aa 119-228) while the other two sera showed IgE reactivity to the N-terminal fragment (aa 1-118) of this newly identified EF-1betaPenicillium allergen. CONCLUSIONS: A novel P. citrinum allergen (Pen c 24) was identified and characterized in the present study. Results obtained provide more information about allergens of prevalent airborne fungi and a basis to understand more about the IgE responses in human atopic disorders and in parasitic infections.     

豚草花粉泛过敏原同源基因克隆与序列分析

目的　克隆豚草花粉泛过敏原同源基因。方法　采用生物信息学分析方法对众多的花粉过敏原基因进行序列同源性比较 ,以序列保守区域为依据设计合成简并引物 ,在特殊的RT PCR条件下 ,结合RACE技术对豚草花粉中的过敏原全长基因进行克隆 ;通过Northern杂交及序列分析初步确定基因产物是否为花粉过敏原。结果　获得了 3个新的全长基因。序列分析显示 :所得过敏原同源基因与数十种不同种属来源的过敏原肌动蛋白结合蛋白 (profilin)具有较高的同源性 ,初步认定其为泛过敏原 ,并暂命名为Amba 8(t)。Northern杂交证实该基因在花粉中表达。结论　采用本研究方法成功地在豚草花粉中克隆到 3个泛过敏原基因 ,为豚草花粉重组过敏原的蛋白质表达及标准化奠定了物质基础     

Immunological characterization of a recombinant tropomyosin from a new indoor source, Lepisma saccharina

BACKGROUND: The presence of specific IgE antibodies to invertebrates is common among patients with rhinitis and asthma. Tropomyosin has been described as an invertebrate cross-reactive allergen. We have recently characterized an allergenic extract from silverfish (Lepisma saccharina). Since this insect could be a new source of tropomyosin in the indoor environment, we have thought important to clone and characterize the tropomyosin from it. METHODS: Recombinant tropomyosin was cloned and characterized by means of immunoblotting with tropomyosin-specific monoclonal antibodies, rabbit polyclonal antibodies and IgE from allergic patients. Its allergenic activity was investigated in histamine release assays. Immunoblotting and ELISA inhibition were carried out to identify the natural tropomyosin in the silverfish extract and to study the cross-reactivity among other arthropod tropomyosins. RESULTS: Tropomyosin-specific antibodies recognized in immunoblotting the natural tropomyosin in the insoluble fraction of silverfish extract. The silverfish tropomyosin (Lep s 1) was cloned and fully expressed. It shared high homology with other arthropod tropomyosins. rLep s 1 was recognized by tropomyosin-specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and by IgE of allergic patients. It was able to inhibit the IgE binding to the insoluble fraction of silverfish extract, and to induce histamine release by an arthropod-allergic serum. Inhibition experiments revealed IgE cross-reactivity between rLep s 1 and other arthropod tropomyosins. CONCLUSION: rLep s 1 is the first allergen cloned and characterized from silverfish extract. It enabled us to identify the natural counterpart in the insoluble fraction of silverfish extract, suggesting that the tropomyosin is not readily extractable with a classic aqueous extraction procedure. rLep s 1 displayed biological activity, suggesting that it could be regarded as a useful tool to study the role of silverfish tropomyosin in the sensitization to invertebrate allergic sources.     

粉尘螨变应原第10组分基因克隆表达及生物信息学分析

目的:克隆粉尘螨变应原第10组分(Der f 10)基因并建立其原核表达体系。方法:提取粉尘螨总RNA,反转录后经套式PCR扩增出目的基因并克隆至pMD19-T载体测序,将测序正确的目的基因插入表达质粒pET28a,转化E.coliBL21(DE3)用IPTG诱导表达,用SDS-PAGE和Western blot鉴定重组蛋白。结果:RT-PCR扩增获得Der f 10,琼脂糖凝胶电泳见一条约888 bp的条带,与参考序列(GenBank No.EU 106617)同源性高达99.8%。将pET28a(+)-Der f 10质粒转化宿主菌E.coli BL21,SDS-PAGE电泳时出现特异性条带,Western blot表明重组蛋白可与抗His-Tag Mab抗体结合。生物信息学软件预测获得的Der f 10重组体由295个氨基酸组成的疏水性蛋白,相对分子质量为34 233.1 Da,二级结构包括α-螺旋(91.86%)、延伸主链(1.36%)和无规卷曲(6.78%),含有5个原肌球蛋白模序分别位于84～101、120～140、145～173、175～198和231～256氨基酸处。结论:获得了Der f 10编码基因,成功建立其原核表达体系,为生产重组变应原用于临床诊断与治疗奠定基础。     

Complementary DNA cloning and immunologic characterization of a new Penicillium citrinum allergen (Pen c 3)

BACKGROUND: Penicillium citrinum has been identified as the most prevalent airborne Penicillium species in the Taipei area. It is important to understand the allergenic composition of this ubiquitous fungal species. OBJECTIVE: The complementary DNA (cDNA) clone of an allergen from P citrinum was isolated and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein. mAbs were prepared with the recombinant protein as antigen. The corresponding natural allergen in the fungal extracts was identified with the mAbs. METHODS: A Uni-Zap XR P citrinum cDNA library was screened with sera from asthmatic patients. An IgE-binding cDNA clone was isolated and expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase fusion protein. The frequency of IgE binding to the expressed protein was analyzed by immunoblotting. Spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with the recombinant protein were fused with NS-1 cells for mAb generation. RESULTS: A P citrinum cDNA library was screened with a mixture of serum samples from 4 asthmatic patients. An IgE-binding cDNA clone was obtained and designated as PCE2. PCE2 has a 694-bp insert that contains a 167 amino acids open reading frame. The deduced amino acid sequence of the encoded protein has 82.6% (138 amino acids) identity with an Aspergillus fumigatus peroxisomal membrane protein allergen (Asp f 3). PCE2 was expressed in E coli as a fusion protein and designated as Pen c 3. Sera from 13 (46%) of the 28 Penicillium-sensitized asthmatic patients demonstrated IgE binding to Pen c 3. In addition, 11 of the 13 Pen c 3-positive serum samples have IgE immunoblot reactivity to recombinant Asp f 3. The presence of IgE cross-reactivity between Pen c 3 and Asp f 3 was also detected by immunoblot inhibition. Four of the 6 mAbs generated against Pen c 3 cross-react with Asp f 3. The presence of the corresponding 18-k natural allergens in the crude extracts of P citrinum and A fumigatus were detected by immunoblot with use of the mAbs and sera from asthmatic patients. CONCLUSION: Results obtained suggest that the peroxisomal membrane protein (Pen c 3) is an important allergen of P citrinum. PCE2 is a full-length cDNA clone encoding this allergen. In addition, the mAbs generated may be useful in standardizing the diagnostic allergenic extracts.     

Modulation of allergen-specific immune responses to the major shrimp allergen, tropomyosin, by specific targeting to scavenger receptors on macrophages

BACKGROUND: Tropomyosin from shrimp is the major cross-reacting crustacean food allergen. Earlier studies have led to the purification and immunochemical characterization of the major IgE binding epitopes of the allergen. Maleylated proteins are known to be specifically targeted to scavenger receptors on macrophage. Since antigens processed and presented by macrophages are known to elicit Th1 type of responses and allergic responses are characterized by polarization towards Th2 phenotype, the possibility of modulation of allergen-specific immune responses by targeting of tropomyosin to macrophage via scavenger receptor was explored. METHODS: The IgG and IgE binding potential of the native maleylated form of tropomyosin was carried out by ELISA and immunoblot. The ability of the native and maleylated form of allergen to induce in vitro proliferation of splenocytes from BALB/C mice immunized with both forms of allergen was tested. The in vitro production of IL-4 and IFN-gamma by splenocytes from mice immunized with the two forms of allergen was determined from culture supernatants. The in vivo production of serum IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies following immunization with native and modified allergens was monitored by ELISA. RESULTS: The maleylated form of tropomyosin was found to have reduced antigenicity and allergenicity as compared to its native counterpart. The modified allergen was, however, found to elicit a cellular response similar to native tropomyosin in vitro. Analysis of the cytokine profiles showed a modulation from an IL-4-dominant, proallergic, Th2 phenotype to an IFN-gamma-dominant, antiallergic, Th1 phenotype that could also be correlated to a modulation in the in vivo antibody isotype. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the possible potential for modulating allergic responses in vivo by selective targeting to macrophages.