title: Proteolytic cleavage of CD25, the alpha subunit of the human T cell interleukin 2 receptor, by Der p 1, a major mite allergen with cysteine protease activity.
abstract: Recent reports have indicated that the cysteine protease activity of Der p 1 may play a significant role in its ability to elicit IgE antibody responses, mainly through cleavage of membrane CD23 on B cells and interleukin (IL)-4 synthesis and secretion from mast cells and basophils. Here we demonstrate for the first time that Der p 1 also cleaves the alpha subunit of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R or CD25) from the surface of human peripheral blood T cells and, as a result, these cells show markedly diminished proliferation and interferon gamma secretion in response to potent stimulation by anti-CD3 antibody. Given that the IL-2R is pivotal for the propagation of Th1 cells, its cleavage by Der p 1 may consequently bias the immune response towards Th2 cells, thereby creating an allergic microenvironment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Sewell
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shakib
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000276:immunology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D006023:Glycoproteins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases