Recombinant Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen, induces hypersensitivity reactions equal to those induced by natural Bet v 1 in the airways of patients allergic to tree pollen.
BACKGROUND
Atopic allergens produced by recombinant DNA methods are promising tools for diagnosis and therapy of Type I allergy. To evaluate the immunologic properties of these molecules, it is necessary to compare them with natural allergens in vitro and in vivo.


OBJECTIVE
The study was carried out to determine whether the potency of recombinant Bet v 1 (rBet v 1) is comparable to that of natural Bet v 1 (nBet v 1) in inducing allergic reactions in the nose and bronchi.


METHODS
Thirteen patients allergic to birch pollen with bronchial asthma and/or rhinitis were investigated. Skin prick tests and nasal and bronchial challenges were performed with rBet v 1 and nBet v 1.


RESULTS
In patients allergic to birch pollen, both allergens induced comparable skin reactions. In subjects with rhinitis rBet v 1 was equally potent in inducing nasal reactions (mean PD(+60)NR +/- SD, 10.48 +/- 17.42 microg vs 7.98 +/- 8.9 microg, p > 0.05). In patients with asthma, rBet v 1 was equally potent in inducing bronchial reactions (PD20 FEV1, 0.81 +/- 1.74 microg vs 0.62 +/- 1.44 microg, p > 0.05) as nBet v 1.


CONCLUSIONS
No significant differences were observed between natural and recombinant allergen. We conclude that allergens produced by recombinant techniques can induce typical allergic reactions in important target organs of Type I allergy: the nose and bronchi.
Godnic-Cvar
J
J
Department of Occupational Medicine, University Clinic of Internal Medicine IV, Vienna, Austria.
Susani
M
M
Breiteneder
H
H
Berger
A
A
Havelec
L
L
Waldhör
T
T
Hirschwehr
R
R
Valenta
R
R
Scheiner
O
O
Rüdiger
H
H
Kraft
D
D
Ebner
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula; D007073:Immunoglobulin E