T cell epitope-containing hypoallergenic recombinant fragments of the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, induce blocking antibodies

Allergen-specific immunotherapy represents one of the few curative approaches toward type I allergy. Up to 25% of allergic patients are sensitized against the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1. By genetic engineering we produced two recombinant (r) Bet v 1 fragments comprising aa 1-74 and aa 75-160 of Bet v 1, which, due to a loss of their native-like fold, failed to bind IgE Abs and had reduced allergenic activity. Here we show that both fragments covering the full Bet v 1 sequence induced human lymphoproliferative responses similar to rBet v 1 wild type. The C-terminal rBet v 1 fragment induced higher lymphoproliferative responses than the N-terminal fragment and represented a Th1-stimulating segment with high IFN-gamma production, whereas the N-terminal fragment induced higher IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 secretion. Immunization of mice and rabbits with rBet v 1 fragments induced IgG Abs, which cross-reacted with complete Bet v 1 and Bet v 1-related plant allergens and strongly inhibited the IgE binding of allergic patients to these allergens. Thus, our results demonstrate that hypoallergenic T cell epitope-containing rBet v 1 fragments, despite lacking IgE epitopes, can induce Abs in vivo that prevent the IgE binding of allergic patients to the wild-type allergen. The overall demonstration of the immunogenic features of the hypoallergenic rBet v 1 fragments will now enable clinical studies for safer and more efficient specific immunotherapy.     

The major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, shows ribonuclease activity

The major birch (Betula alba L.) pollen allergen, Bet v 1, has been shown to be homologous to pathogenesis-related proteins in a number of plants. Recently, it was demonstrated that a ginseng protein with high homology to an intracellular pathogenesis-related protein of parsley and to Bet v 1 is a ribonuclease (RNase). Birch pollen extract was separated in an RNase activity gel. Four major RNase bands were excised from the gel, reseparated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and identified by Western blotting with a specific Bet v 1 monoclonal antibody and patient's serum. Thus the monomer and the dimer of Bet v 1 showed RNase activity. Purified recombinant Bet v 1 was shown to degrade plant RNA. The RNase activity of recombinant Bet v 1 was 180 units · mg^?1.     

Crystal structure of a hypoallergenic isoform of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 and its likely biological function as a plant steroid carrier

Bet v 1l is a naturally occurring hypoallergenic isoform of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1. The Bet v 1 protein belongs to the ubiquitous family of pathogenesis-related plant proteins (PR-10), which are produced in defense-response to various pathogens. Although the allergenic properties of PR-10 proteins have been extensively studied, their biological function in plants is not known. The crystal structure of Bet v 1l in complex with deoxycholate has been determined to a resolution of 1.9A using the method of molecular replacement. The structure reveals a large hydrophobic Y-shaped cavity that spans the protein and is partly occupied by two deoxycholate molecules which are bound in tandem and only partially exposed to solvent. This finding indicates that the hydrophobic cavity may have a role in facilitating the transfer of apolar ligands. The structural similarity of deoxycholate and brassinosteroids (BRs) ubiquitous plant steroid hormones, prompted the mass spectrometry (MS) study in order to examine whether BRs can bind to Bet v 1l. The MS analysis of a mixture of Bet v 1l and BRs revealed a specific non-covalent interaction of Bet v 1l with brassinolide and 24-epicastasterone. Together, our findings are consistent with a general plant-steroid carrier function for Bet v 1 and related PR-10 proteins. The role of BRs transport in PR-10 proteins may be of crucial importance in the plant defense response to pathological situations as well as in growth and development.     

The major allergen from birch tree pollen, Bet v 1, binds and permeabilizes membranes

The 159 residue Bet v 1 is the major allergen from birch tree pollen. Its natural function is unknown although it is capable of binding several types of physiologically relevant ligands in a centrally placed cavity in the protein structure. Here we use circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy to show that Bet v 1 binds to DOPC and DOPG phospholipid vesicles in a pH-dependent manner. Binding is facilitated by low pH, negatively charged phospholipids, and high vesicle curvature, indicating that electrostatic interactions and vesicle surface defects are important parameters for binding. Binding is accompanied by major structural rearrangements, involving an increase in alpha-helical structure and a decrease in beta-structure. A bilayer structure per se is not a prerequisite for these rearrangements, since they also occur in the presence of the micelle-forming lysophospholipids lysoMPC and lysoMPG. Two major bound states (A and B) with distinct secondary structure compositions were identified, which predominate in the pH ranges approximately 9.5-6.5 and approximately 5-2.5, respectively. Despite the high content of secondary structure, the A- and B-states are partially unfolded as they unfold noncooperatively in CD thermal scans, in contrast to the native state. In addition, the B-state (but not the A-state) shows intermediate proteolysis-resistance and is able to induce complete leakage of calcein from the vesicles, indicating that this state is partially inserted into and significantly perturbs the bilayer structure. We conclude that Bet v 1 is a membrane binding protein, highlighting a possible biological function of this protein.     

Functional analysis of birch pollen allergen Bet v 1-specific regulatory T cells

Allergen-specific immunotherapy using peptides is an efficient treatment for allergic diseases. Recent studies suggest that the induction of CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells might be associated with the suppression of allergic responses in patients after allergen-specific immunotherapy. Our aim was to identify MHC class II promiscuous T cell epitopes for the birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 capable of stimulating Treg cells with the purpose of inhibiting allergic responses. Ag-reactive CD4+ T cell clones were generated from patients with birch pollen allergy and healthy volunteers by in vitro vaccination of PBMC using Bet v 1 synthetic peptides. Several CD4+ T cell clones were induced by using 2 synthetic peptides (Bet v 1(141-156) and Bet v 1(51-68)). Peptide-reactive CD4+ T cells recognized recombinant Bet v 1 protein, indicating that these peptides are produced by the MHC class II Ag processing pathway. Peptide Bet v 1(141-156) appears to be a highly MHC promiscuous epitope since T cell responses restricted by numerous MHC class II molecules (DR4, DR9, DR11, DR15, and DR53) were observed. Two of these clones functioned as typical Treg cells (expressed CD25, GITR, and Foxp3 and suppressed the proliferation and IL-2 secretion of other CD4+ T cells). Notably, the suppressive activity of these Treg cells required cell-cell contact and was not mediated through soluble IL-10 or TGF-beta. The identified promiscuous MHC class II epitope capable of inducing suppressive Treg responses may have important implication for the development of peptide-based Ag-specific immunotherapy to birch pollen allergy.     

Localization of the major allergen Bet v I in birch pollen by confocal laser scanning microscopy

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to localize the major allergen, Bet v I in birch pollen. Pollen grains of Belula pendula were collected from catkins that had begun to release their pollen, freeze dried, and stored at 4°C. The pollen material was cryosectioned and stained with indirect immunofluorescence using the monoclonal antibody Bv 10. The observed localization of Bet v I was dependent on the treatment of the grains. When they had been prefixed with gaseous formaldehyde followed by acetone Bet v I was found in the cytoplasm. When the prefixation was omitted, a minor portion of Bet v I also appeared in the exine in the aperture regions. The allergen was not observed in the intine or the Zwischenkörper. Our suggestion is that the normal route for excretion of Bet v I is via the apertures on contact between pollen and the stigmatic surface of the pistil.     

Proteomic analysis of the major birch allergen Bet v 1 predicts allergenicity for 15 birch species

Pollen of the European and Asian white birch (Betula pendula and B. platyphylla) causes hay fever in humans. The allergenic potency of other birch species is largely unknown. To identify birch trees with a reduced allergenicity, we assessed the immunochemical characteristics of 15 species and two hybrids, representing four subgenera within the genus Betula, while focusing on the major pollen allergen Bet v 1. Antigenic and allergenic profiles of pollen extracts from these species were evaluated by SDS-PAGE and Western blot using pooled sera of birch-allergic individuals. Tryptic digests of the Bet v 1 bands were analyzed by LC-MS(E) to determine the abundance of various Bet v 1 isoforms. Bet v 1 was the most abundant pollen protein across all birch species. LC-MS(E) confirmed that pollen of all species contained a mixture of multiple Bet v 1 isoforms. Considerable differences in Bet v 1 isoform composition exist between birch species. However, isoforms that are predicted to have a high IgE-reactivity prevailed in pollen of all species. Immunoblotting confirmed that all pollen extracts were similar in immune-reactivity, implying that pollen of all birch species is likely to evoke strong allergic reactions.     

Dimerization of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 is important for its in vivo IgE-cross-linking potential in mice

In type I allergy, the cross-linking of membrane IgE on B lymphocytes and of cytophilic IgE on effector cells by their respective allergens are key events. For cross-linking two IgE molecules, allergens need at least two epitopes. On large molecules, these could be different epitopes in a multivalent, or identical epitopes in a symmetrical, fashion. However, the availability of epitopes may be limited on small allergens such as Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen. The present work analyzes whether dimerization is required for the cross-linking capacity of this allergen. In immunoblots, murine monoclonal and polyclonal human Bet v 1-specific Abs detected, besides a Bet v 1 monomer of 17 kDa, a dimer of 34 kDa. In dynamic light scattering, Bet v 1 appeared as dimers and even multimers, but a single condition could be defined where it behaved exclusively monomerically. Small-angle x-ray scattering of the monomeric and dimeric samples resulted in diagrams agreeing with the calculated models. Circular dichroism measurements indicated that the structure of Bet v 1 was preserved under monomeric conditions. Skin tests in Bet v 1-allergic mice were positive with Bet v 1 dimer, but remained negative using the monomer. Furthermore, in contrast to dimeric Bet v 1, the monomer was less capable of activating murine memory B cells for IgE production in vivo. Our data indicate that the presentation of two identical epitopes by dimerized allergens is a precondition for cross-linking of IgE on mast cells and B lymphocytes.     

Dominating IgE-binding epitope of Bet v 1, the major allergen of birch pollen,characterized by X-ray crystallography and site-directed mutagenesis

Specific allergy vaccination is an efficient treatment for allergic disease; however, the development of safer vaccines would enable a more general use of the treatment. Determination of molecular structures of allergens and allergen-Ab complexes facilitates epitope mapping and enables a rational approach to the engineering of allergen molecules with reduced IgE binding. In this study, we describe the identification and modification of a human IgE-binding epitope based on the crystal structure of Bet v 1 in complex with the BV16 Fab' fragment. The epitope occupies approximately 10% of the molecular surface area of Bet v 1 and is clearly conformational. A synthetic peptide representing a sequential motif in the epitope (11 of 16 residues) did not inhibit the binding of mAb BV16 to Bet v 1, illustrating limitations in the use of peptides for B cell epitope characterization. The single amino acid substitution, Glu(45)-Ser, was introduced in the epitope and completely abolished the binding of mAb BV16 to the Bet v 1 mutant within a concentration range 1000-fold higher than wild type. The mutant also showed up to 50% reduction in the binding of human polyclonal IgE, demonstrating that glutamic acid 45 is a critical amino acid also in a major human IgE-binding epitope. By solving the three-dimensional crystal structure of the Bet v 1 Glu(45)-Ser mutant, it was shown that the change in immunochemical activity is directly related to the Glu(45)-Ser substitution and not to long-range structural alterations or collapse of the Bet v 1 mutant tertiary structure.     

Molecular characterization of human IgG monoclonal antibodies specific for the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1. Anti-allergen IgG can enhance the anaphylactic reaction

We report the molecular characterization of five human monoclonal antibodies, BAB1-5 (BAB1: IgG(1); BAB4: IgG(2); BAB2, 3, 5: IgG(4)), with specificity for the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1. BAB1-5 were obtained after immunotherapy and contained a high degree of somatic mutations indicative of an antigen-driven affinity maturation process. While BAB1 inhibited the binding of patients IgE to Bet v 1, BAB2 increased IgE recognition of Bet v 1, and, even as Escherichia coli-expressed Fab, augmented Bet v 1-induced immediate type skin reactions. The demonstration that IgG antibodies can enhance allergen-induced allergic reactions is likely to explain the unpredictability of specific immunotherapy.     

The major birch allergen, Bet v 1, shows affinity for a broad spectrum of physiological ligands

Bet v 1 is a 17-kDa protein abundantly present in the pollen of the White birch tree and is the primary cause of birch pollen allergy in humans. Its three-dimensional structure is remarkable in that a solvent-accessible cavity traverses the core of the molecule. The biological function of Bet v 1 is unknown, although it is homologous to a family of pathogenesis-related proteins in plants. In this study we first show that Bet v 1 in the native state is able to bind the fluorescent probe 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS). ANS binds to Bet v 1 with 1:1 stoichiometry, and NMR data indicate that binding takes place in the cavity. Using an ANS displacement assay, we then identify a range of physiologically relevant ligands, including fatty acids, flavonoids, and cytokinins, which generally bind with low micromolar affinity. The ability of these ligands to displace ANS suggests that they also bind in the cavity, although the exact binding sites seem to vary among different ligands. The cytokinins, for example, seem to bind at a separate site close to ANS, because they increase the fluorescence of the ANS.Bet v 1 complex. Also, the fluorescent sterol dehydroergosterol binds to Bet v 1 as demonstrated by direct titrations. This study provides the first qualitative and quantitative data on the ligand binding properties of this important pollen allergen. Our findings indicate that ligand binding is important for the biological function of Bet v 1.     

Rapid production of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 in Nicotiana benthamiana plants and its immunological in vitro and in vivo characterization.

Type I allergies are immunological disorders that afflict a quarter of the world's population. Improved diagnosis of allergic diseases and the formulation of new therapeutic approaches are based on the use of recombinant allergens. We describe here for the first time the application of a rapid plant-based expression system for a plant-derived allergen and its immunological characterization. We expressed our model allergen Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen, in the tobacco-related species Nicotiana benthamiana using a tobacco mosaic virus vector. Two weeks postinoculation, plants infected with recombinant viral RNA containing the Bet v 1 coding sequence accumulated the allergen to levels of 200 microg/g leaf material. Total nonpurified protein extracts from plants were used for immunological characterizations. IgE immunoblots and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay) inhibition assays showed comparable IgE binding properties for tobacco recombinant (r) Bet v 1 and natural (n) Bet v 1, suggesting that the B cell epitopes were preserved when the allergen was expressed in N. benthamiana plants. Using a murine model of type I allergy, mice immunized with crude leaf extracts containing Bet v 1 with purified rBet v 1 produced in E. coli or with birch pollen extract generated comparable allergen-specific IgE and IgG1 antibody responses and positive type I skin test reactions. These results demonstrate that nonpurified Bet v 1 overexpressed in N. benthamina has the same immunogenicity as purified Bet v 1 produced in E. coli or nBet v 1. We therefore conclude that this plant expression system offers a viable alternative to fermentation-based production of allergens in bacteria or yeasts. In addition, there may be a broad utility of this system for the development of new and low-cost vaccination strategies against allergy.     

Profiling preparations of recombinant birch pollen allergen Bet v 1a with capillary zone electrophoresis in pentamine modified fused-silica capillaries

Three preparation batches of the recombinant birch pollen allergen Bet v 1a have been analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using a separation electrolyte consisting of 100 mmol L(-1) phosphate at pH 6.50 with 2.0 mmol L(-1) tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) added. TEPA improved the resolution by wall shielding and selective attachment to allergens, but reduced migration repeatability at concentrations >2.0 mmol L(-1). Heterogeneity of preparations determined by CZE and electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time-of flight-MS were in accordance and revealed chemically modified (carbamylated) allergens in one of the preparations. The method was validated according to the ICH-guidelines. Repeatability of effective electrophoretic mobility (mu(eff)) was <0.55% R.S.D. (n = 5). Migration time corrected peak areas were used for quantification. Limit of quantification (LOQ) was 25 microg mL(-1) for the major isoform Bet v 1a, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 10, and detector response was linear between LOQ and 0.90 mg mL(-1). Purity of the different rBet v 1a preparations was determined to be between 40 and 92% depending on the manufacturing protocol.     

Diversity of TCRAV and TCRBV sequences used by human T-cell clones specific for a minimal epitope of Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen

T-cell clones (TCC) were raised from the peripheral blood of patients suffering from tree pollen allergy. All TCC were restricted by HLA-DR molecules. In order to investigate possible intervention targets in Type I allergic diseases, we examined T-cell receptor (TCR) and chain nucleotide sequences of five allergen-reactive human CD4⁺ TCC specific for a C-terminal epitope (BV 144) of Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen. Proliferation assays using synthetic peptides revealed the 10-mer LRAVESYLLA as minimal epitope for three TCC; two TCC also displayed reactivity with the nonapeptide LRAVESYLL. Two TCC expressed TCRBV2S3, all other BV144-specific TCC used diverse TCRAV and TCRBV gene segments. Moreover, the junctional regions encoding the third complementary determining regions (CDR3) of the TCR showed a striking heterogeneity in length and amino acid composition. Nevertheless, all TCC showed an arginine residue in the N-terminal region of their TCRBV CDR3 loops. Therefore, therapeutical strategies aimed at the clonal deletion of allergen-specific T-cell clones, providing help for IgE synthesis, will not be feasible. Our results cast a doubt on the theory that the CDR3 exclusively provides the primary contact with the peptide bound in the major histocompatibility (MHC) groove, and suggest additional interaction with MHC class II.The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to the EMBL nucleotide sequence database and have been assigned the accession numbers Z47366-Z47376     

Dominant epitopes and allergic cross-reactivity: complex formation between a Fab fragment of a monoclonal murine IgG antibody and the major allergen from birch pollen Bet v 1

The symptoms characteristic of allergic hypersensitivity are caused by the release of mediators, i.e., histamine, from effector cells such as basophils and mast cells. Allergens with more than one B cell epitope cross-link IgE Abs bound to high affinity FcepsilonRI receptors on mast cell surfaces leading to aggregation and subsequent mediator release. Thus, allergen-Ab complexes play a crucial role in the cascade leading to the allergic response. We here report the structure of a 1:1 complex between the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 and the Fab fragment from a murine monoclonal IgG1 Ab, BV16, that has been solved to 2.9 A resolution by x-ray diffraction. The mAb is shown to inhibit the binding of allergic patients' IgE to Bet v 1, and the allergen-IgG complex may therefore serve as a model for the study of allergen-IgE interactions relevant in allergy. The size of the BV16 epitope is 931 A2 as defined by the Bet v 1 Ab interaction surface. Molecular interactions predicted to occur in the interface are likewise in agreement with earlier observations on Ag-Ab complexes. The epitope is formed by amino acids that are conserved among major allergens from related species within the Fagales order. In combination with a surprisingly high inhibitory capacity of BV16 with respect to allergic patients' serum IgE binding to Bet v 1, these observations provide experimental support for the proposal of dominant IgE epitopes located in the conserved surface areas. This model will facilitate the development of new and safer vaccines for allergen immunotherapy in the form of mutated allergens.     

Immunogold electron microscopy of soluble proteins: localization of Bet v I major allergen in ultra-thin sections of birch pollen after anhydrous fixation techniques

To localize the highly water-soluble major allergen Bet v I in ultra-thin sections of birch pollen, pollen grains were cracked, air-dried, and processed for electron microscopy using one of the following preparation techniques: fixation in aqueous p-formaldehyde + cetylpyridinium chloride; fixation in p-formaldehyde vapor; fixation in benzoquinone vapor; inert dehydration; or no fixation. Afterwards the pollen grains were embedded in Lowicryl K4M resin at low temperature. Ultra-thin sections were cut and incubated with a monoclonal antibody against Bet v I, followed by a gold-labeled secondary antibody. In some experiments, commercial rabbit IgG antibodies against birth pollen allergens were also used, followed by incubation with the protein A-gold complex. Bet v I could be localized only after vapor fixation and in the inert dehydrated specimens. Best preservation of ultrastructure and antigenicity was obtained after p-formaldehyde vapor fixation. Bet v I antibody binding sites were detected only in the cytoplasmic matrix of the pollen grain, never in the pollen wall. Commercial rabbit antibodies bound to cytoplasm and wall of all prepared specimens, even after aqueous fixation. This might be explained by the assumption that these antibodies recognize a variety of antigenic and allergenic structures, not all of which are so highly soluble as Bet v I.     

Mapping of conformational IgE epitopes with peptide-specific monoclonal antibodies reveals simultaneous binding of different IgE antibodies to a surface patch on the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1

Allergic inflammation is based on the cross-linking of mast cell and basophil-bound IgE Abs and requires at least two binding sites for IgE on allergens, which are difficult to characterize because they are often conformational in nature. We studied the IgE recognition of birch pollen allergen Bet v 1, a major allergen for >100 million allergic patients. Monoclonal and polyclonal Abs raised against Bet v 1-derived peptides were used to compete with allergic patients' IgE binding to Bet v 1 to search for sequences involved in IgE recognition. Strong inhibitions of patients' IgE binding to Bet v 1 (52-75%) were obtained with mAbs specific for two peptides comprising aa 29-58 (P2) and aa 73-103 (P6) of Bet v 1. As determined by surface plasmon resonance, mAb2 specific for P2 and mAb12 specific for P6 showed high affinity, but only polyclonal rabbit anti-P2 and anti-P6 Abs or a combination of mAbs inhibited allergen-induced basophil degranulation. Thus, P2 and P6 define a surface patch on the Bet v 1 allergen, which allows simultaneous binding of several different IgE Abs required for efficient basophil and mast cell activation. This finding explains the high allergenic activity of the Bet v 1 allergen. The approach of using peptide-specific Abs for the mapping of conformational IgE epitopes on allergens may be generally applicable. It may allow discriminating highly allergenic from less allergenic allergen molecules and facilitate the rational design of active and passive allergen-specific immunotherapy strategies.