Previously undescribed grass pollen antigens are the major inducers of T helper 2 cytokine-producing T cells in allergic individuals.

ABSTRACT: T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. However, the proteins considered as potential immunogens of allergenic T-cell responses have traditionally been limited to those that induce IgE responses. Timothy grass (TG) pollen is a well-studied inhaled allergen for which major IgE-reactive allergens have also been shown to trigger T helper 2 (Th2) responses. Here we examined whether other TG pollen proteins are recognized by Th2 responses independently of IgE reactivity. A TG pollen extract was analyzed by 2D gel electrophoresis and IgE/IgG immunoblots using pooled sera from allergic donors. Mass spectrometry of selected protein spots in combination with de novo sequencing of the whole TG pollen transcriptome identified 93 previously undescribed proteins for fur

SUBMITTER: Schulten V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3587276 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature