HLA class II restriction specificity of Dermatophagoides spp. reactive T lymphocyte clones that support IgE synthesis

The results of recent experiments investigating the restriction specificity of cross-reactive, or Dermatophagoides farinae-specific, T cell clones isolated from an atopic individual with perennial rhinitis are reviewed. The restriction specificity was examined using serological inhibition, allogeneic presenting cells and murine fibroblasts expressing HLA-D region products. Although serological inhibition studies suggested that DR class II proteins were the major restriction elements used, the patterns of recognition observed with the allogeneic cell panel were complex, generally failing to correlate with the serologically defined MHC class II specificities. Analysis of the restriction patterns indicated that the majority of the T cell clones were restricted by DR beta III gene products and this was confirmed using murine fibroblasts expressing DRw52. DR beta I gene products functioned as restriction elements in the recognition of house dust mite allergen by the other clones. In an in-vitro model of allergen-dependent IgE synthesis, both DR beta I and DR beta III class II restricted T cells could be shown to provide functional help for IgE synthesized by autologous B cell-enriched populations.