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Published on: December 24, 2017
Fungal peptides from pneumonitis hypersensitivity etiologic agents are able to induce specific cellular immune
Anne-Pauline Bellanger1, Thibaud Lignon2, Yann Godet3
1Chrono-Environnement CNRS 6249 Research Team, Franche-Comté University, Besançon, France; Parasitology-Mycology Department, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France.
Purpose:
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immunoallergic disease due to chronic exposure to high quantities of different microorganisms such as Mycobacterium immunogenum (Mi), a mycobacterium, and Lichtheimia corymbifera (Lc), a filamentous fungus. It has recently been demonstrated that the protein DLDH (dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase), is common to these microorganisms. This study aimed to investigate the immune potential of overlapping peptide pools covering the MiDLDH and LcDLDH.
Experimental Design:
A selection of 34 peptides, from the MiDLDH and LcDLDH, able to interact with Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) 1 and MHC 2, was obtained using three different epitope prediction websites. By means of ELISPOT assays, we compared the frequency of Interferon gamma (IFNγ) secreting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after stimulation with overlapping peptide pools. Tests were performed using cells from 35 healthy blood donors.
Results:
One peptide pool containing five peptides from MiDLDH and able to interact with MHC 2 induced a marked IFNγ specific immune response (Pool F, p<0.001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test).
Conclusion:
This study demonstrated that peptides from microorganisms involved in HP were able to induce a high IFNγ specific immune response after stimulation of PBMCs from healthy blood donors which could be useful to develop an effective prevention strategy.
Insights
Certain peptides from Mycobacterium immunogenum and Lichtheimia corymbifera DLDH proteins can trigger a significant immune response. This finding may aid in developing prevention strategies for hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP).
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immunoallergic disease caused by chronic exposure to microorganisms like Mycobacterium immunogenum (Mi) and Lichtheimia corymbifera (Lc).
- The dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (DLDH) protein is a common antigen shared by these causative agents of HP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immune potential of overlapping peptide pools derived from MiDLDH and LcDLDH.
- To identify specific peptides that can elicit an immune response relevant to hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Main Methods:
- Epitope prediction identified 34 peptides from MiDLDH and LcDLDH that interact with MHC 1 and MHC 2.
- ELISPOT assays were used to measure Interferon gamma (IFNγ) secreting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after stimulation with peptide pools.
- The study utilized PBMCs from 35 healthy blood donors.
Main Results:
- One peptide pool (Pool F), comprising five MiDLDH peptides interacting with MHC 2, induced a significant IFNγ immune response (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Peptides from HP-associated microorganisms can induce a robust IFNγ response in PBMCs from healthy individuals.
- These findings suggest potential for developing novel prevention strategies for hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
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