Human T cells that have been conditioned by the proteolytic activity of the major dust mite allergen Der p 1 trigger enhanced immunoglobulin E synthesis by B cells.
BACKGROUND
We have previously demonstrated that the proteolytic activity of Der p 1 selectively cleaves human CD25, the 55 kDa alpha subunit of the IL-2 receptor. As a result of cleavage of surface CD25, peripheral blood T cells produce less IFN-gamma and more IL-4, thereby leading to progressive polarization of the T cells towards a Th2 cytokine profile. Therefore, these observations underline the potential role of the proteolytic activity of Der p 1 in creating a microenvironment conducive for IgE synthesis.


OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of T cells that have been conditioned by the proteolytic activity of Der p 1 on IgE synthesis by B cells.


METHODS
We have examined this concept in experiments whereby T cells that have been exposed to either proteolytically active or inactive Der p 1 were cocultured with autologous B cells and IgE antibody synthesis was monitored.


RESULTS
Here we demonstrate for the first time that coculturing T cells that have been in contact with proteolytically active Der p 1 with autologous B cells leads to augmentation of IgE antibody responses.


CONCLUSIONS
The proteolytic activity of Der p 1 conditions human T cells, which then become empowered to trigger enhanced IgE synthesis by B cells.
Ghaemmaghami
A M
AM
Division of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, UK.
Shakib
F
F
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451162:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1