Analysis of Helper T Cell Responses to Cry j 1-Derived Peptides in Patients with Nasal Allergy: Candidate for Peptide-Based Immunotherapy of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis

• Main Authors: Keisuke Masuyama, Kazuaki Chikamatsu, Shuji Ikagawa, Tomokazu Matsuoka, Goro Takahashi, Takanori Yamamoto, Shuichiro Endo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2009-01-01
• Series: Allergology International
• Subjects: Cry j 1; immunotherapy; nasal allergy; peptide; Th response
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1323893015306638

Background: Allergen specific immunotherapy is highly effective, but adverse events may occur during treatment. Peptide-based immunotherapy has been proposed as one of new strategies for reduction of allergic adverse reactions. We examined the possibility of candidate peptides for the development of peptide-based immunotherapy for Japanese cedar pollinosis. Methods: Twelve Cry j 1-specific T-cell lines were established from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 12 patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis. Using these T-cell lines, 37 Cry j 1-derived overlapping peptides were assessed for their proliferative responses and cytokine production. Results: Four peptides corresponding to the Cry j 1 sequence were able to induce proliferative responses to more than one T-cell line: p61-80 (3/12; 25.0%); p115–132 (2/12; 16.6%); p206–225 (4/12; 33.3%); and p337–353 (5/12; 41.7%). Furthermore, T-cell lines generated from 11 of 12 donors (91.7%) responded to at least one of these four peptides. On the other hand, the pattern of cytokine production from Cry j 1-specific T-cell lines varied. Moreover, cytokine production patterns by stimulation with Cry j 1 peptide did not reflect those by stimulation with Cry j 1 protein. Conclusions: Our results suggest four Cry j 1-derived peptides (p61–80, p115–132, p206–225 and p337–353) may be considered to be the immunodominant T-cell epitopes of the Cry j 1 molecule, and can be useful for the design of peptide-based immunotherapy for the management of Japanese cedar pollinosis.