title: An immunogenetic analysis of T-cell reactive regions on the major allergen from the house dust mite, Der p I, with recombinant truncated fragments.
abstract: Proliferation assays were used to localize the T-cell reactive sites on the major allergen from the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p I. Seven overlapping recombinant fragments of the Der p I molecule, synthesized with the pGEX expression vector system, were used to stimulate peripheral blood lymphocytes from 35 HDM-sensitive individuals. The fusion fragments were from 39 to 114 amino acids in length and spanned the entire Der p I molecule. Significant proliferative responses to one or more of the fragments were evident in 18 of the allergic individuals, and each of the fragments led to T-cell stimulation in at least one of the subjects. Although T-cell reactive regions were located throughout the molecule, in 12 of the 18 responsive individuals, major immunogenic sites were contained within the 56 amino acids of the N-terminus, and in 11 of these individuals T-cell reactive regions were only present between amino acid positions 1 and 94. In two individuals reactive sites could be mapped in the C-terminal half of the molecule, and in five subjects, epitopes were present in both N- and C-terminal regions. HLA class I and class II DR and DQ specificities were determined serologically in 16 of the 18 individuals, and no strong pattern of association between HLA type and the T-cell immunogenic region could be detected.
authors.affiliation: University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, Western Hospital, Footscray, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Tait
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D002455:Cell Division; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D000939:Epitopes; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007125:Immunogenetics; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D000939:Epitopes; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006680:HLA Antigens; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011994:Recombinant Proteins