Related Experiment Videos
T-cell receptor-mediated cross-allergenicity.
Samuele E Burastero1, Clara Paolucci, Daniela Breda
1San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. burastero.samuele@hsr.it
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|December 8, 2004
Summary
Cross-allergenicity between birch and grass pollens in allergic patients is linked to T-cell responses recognizing conserved protein regions. This immune cross-reactivity impacts managing multiple pollen allergies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Profilins are highly conserved proteins found in plants and animals.
- Cross-reactivity between birch and grass pollen allergies is a common clinical observation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if T-cell responses to conserved epitopes on birch and grass profilins explain cross-allergenicity.
- To understand the immunological basis of co-existing grass and birch pollen allergies.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 31 patients allergic to both grass and birch pollen.
- Assessed T-lymphocyte proliferation in response to birch and grass allergens.
- Utilized Vbeta T-cell receptor family-specific polymerase chain reaction and heteroduplex analysis.
- Derived T-cell clones from patients exhibiting cross-proliferating T cells.
Main Results:
- T-cell responses to grass and birch were distinct in 25 out of 31 subjects.
- In 6 subjects, T cells reactive to grass also cross-proliferated to birch.
- CD4 Th2 T-cell clones recognized conserved regions on both birch and grass profilins.
Conclusions:
- A T-cell response to conserved regions of panallergens underlies cross-allergenicity in a subset of allergic individuals.
- Exposure to one allergen can modulate the immune response to another, relevant for multiple allergies.
- Findings have implications for managing patients with co-existing pollen allergies.