Epitope specificity of IgE antibodies to a major allergen (Cry j 1) of Japanese cedar pollen in sera of humans and monkeys with pollinosis. |
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Authors: | M Sakaguchi M Hashimoto H Nigi H Yasueda Y Takahashi M Watanabe T Nagoya Y Taniguchi M Kurimoto S Inouye |
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Affiliation: | Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Health, Tokyo, Japan. |
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Abstract: | Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis has been reported to occur naturally in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) as well as humans. Using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific to Cry j 1, a major allergen in Japanese cedar pollen, we identified five independent epitopes (EP-1 to EP-5) on the molecule. The epitopes recognized by IgE antibodies in the sera of humans and monkeys with the pollinosis were analysed by an IgE enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition method with these mAb. In human patients, the mAb to EP-1 strongly blocked the binding of IgE antibodies in all patients' sera to Cry j 1. The reaction patterns of IgE antibodies in monkeys, however, varied among the troops of monkeys. In some troops, the mAb to EP-1 showed a blocking pattern similar to that for human patients. In other troops, mAb to EP-4 and EP-5 blocked binding of IgE. These results indicate that some, but not all, monkeys have antibody responses to the major allergen similar to those of humans. |
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