Genetic engineering of allergens: future therapeutic products.
Genetic engineering of allergens for specific immunotherapy should aim at the production of modified molecules with reduced IgE-binding epitopes (hypoallergens), while preserving structural motifs necessary for T cell recognition (T cell epitopes) and for induction of IgG antibodies reactive with the natural allergen (blocking antibodies). Common approaches for engineering of hypoallergens usually require knowledge of T and B cell epitopes and involve changing specific base pairs (mutated gene), introduction of a new piece of DNA into the existing DNA molecule (chimeric or hybrid gene), and deletions (truncated gene or fragments). DNA family shuffling has the advantage that it does not require a priori knowledge of structural and functional properties for efficient generation of hypoallergens. The combination of the hypoallergen concept with the Th1-inducing genetic immunization approach might be an attractive alternative for protein-based immunotherapy.
Institute of Genetics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria. fatima.ferreira@mh.sbg.ac.at
Fátima
F
Ferreira
Michael
M
Wallner
Heimo
H
Breiteneder
Arnulf
A
Hartl
Josef
J
Thalhamer
Christof
C
Ebner
D000485:Allergens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D015202:Protein Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000485:Allergens; D011994:Recombinant Proteins