T-cell epitope conservation across allergen species is a major determinant of immunogenicity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with pollen allergies are frequently polysensitized. Pollens contain epitopes that are conserved across multiple species.

Objective

We sought to demonstrate that cross-reactive T cells that recognize conserved epitopes show higher levels of expansion than T cells recognizing monospecific epitopes because of more frequent stimulation.

Method

RNA was sequenced from 9 pollens, and the reads were assembled de novo into more than 50,000 transcripts. T-cell epitopes from timothy grass (Phleum pratense) were examined for conservation in these transcripts, and this was correlated to their ability to induce T-cell responses. T cells were expanded in vitro with P pratense-derived peptides and tested for cross-reactivity to pollen extracts in ELISpot assays.<

SUBMITTER: Westernberg L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4975972 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature