T cell epitopes in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen allergens: choice of major T cell epitopes in Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 toward design of the peptide-based immunotherapeutics for the management of Japanese cedar pollinosis

J Immunol. 1998 Jul 1;161(1):448-57.

Abstract

Japanese cedar pollinosis is caused by exposure to Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen, of which two components, Cry j 1 and Cry j 2, are believed to be the major allergens. T cell lines specific to either Cry j 1 or rCry j 2 were reactive to various portions of each panel of overlapping peptides derived from Cry j 1 or Cry j 2. Two peptides, p211-225 and p108-120, from among six major T cell epitopes identified in Cry j 1 sequence, and three peptides, p182-200, p344-355, and p66-80, from among five in Cry j 2, were chosen to design an artificial polypeptide (named Cry-consensus) based on a difference among the types of the restriction molecules capable of presenting these peptides. After construction of a DNA encoding these peptides in order, Cry-consensus was expressed in Escherichia coli. Five of six T cell epitopes, except for Cry j 2 p344-355, in Cry-consensus were recognized by the T cell clones specific to each peptide. PBMC from allergic patients induced higher proliferation under stimulation from Cry-consensus than individual peptides. Eighty-eight percent of the PBMC (15 of 17) showed proliferation under the Cry-consensus stimulation. Thus, several major T cell epitopes from Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 can be chosen in the design of peptide-based immunotherapeutics for the management of Japanese cedar pollinosis in subjects having various types of HLA class II molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Allergens / metabolism
  • Allergens / therapeutic use*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antigen Presentation
  • Antigens, Plant
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites, Antibody
  • Cell Line
  • Consensus Sequence
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / chemistry*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • Female
  • HLA Antigens / immunology
  • HLA Antigens / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Plant Proteins / immunology
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Pollen / immunology*
  • Pollen / metabolism
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / immunology*
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / therapy*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Trees

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Plant
  • Cry j I protein, Cryptomeria japonica
  • Cry j II protein, Cryptomeria japonica
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • HLA Antigens
  • Peptides
  • Plant Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin E