title: Characterization of allergen (Bet v 1)-specific T cell lines and clones from non-allergic individuals.
abstract: The immune response towards allergens in non-allergic healthy individuals was investigated. T cell lines (TCL) with specificity for Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen, were established and analysed for epitope specificity. 49 T cell clones (TCC) specific for Bet v 1 were isolated from TCLs. All TCCs revealed the Th phenotype. Cytokine production in response to specific stimulation revealed a majority of Th clones producing interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma; however, most TCCs revealed a low IL-4/IFN-gamma ratio. Immunoblot revealed Bet v 1-specific IgG in non-allergic individuals whereas no IgE could be detected. Our results indicate that T cells from allergic and non-allergic individuals recognize the same epitopes on allergenic molecules, leading to activation, which then results in a differential production of cytokines and consequently to differential isotype switching in allergen-specific B cells.
authors.affiliation: Institute of General and Experimental Pathology, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ebner
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Siemann
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Najafian
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Scheiner
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kraft
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002460:Cell Line; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D000939:Epitopes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010940:Plant Proteins; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma