The DR4-DQ8 haplotype and a specific T cell receptor Vbeta T cell subset are associated with absence of allergy to Can f 1.
BACKGROUND
The significance of specific T cell receptor (TCR) Vbeta subtypes and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles for the development of allergy to lipocalin allergens such as the major dog allergen Can f 1 is not clear at present.


OBJECTIVE
To characterize the TCR Vbeta usage in the Can f 1-specific T cell lines and the HLA class II genotypes of Can f 1-allergic and non-allergic subjects.


METHODS
T cell lines were induced with recombinant Can f 1 from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 12 non-atopic dog owners and 26 dog-allergic patients. Thirteen of the dog-allergic subjects were sensitized to Can f 1. Expression of the TCR Vbeta subtypes on CD4(+) T cells in the T cell lines was measured by flow cytometry. The subjects were HLA genotyped for DRB1, DQB1 and DPB1 loci.


RESULTS
Can f 1-specific T cell lines were obtained from 18 subjects, with either positive (n=8) or negative (n=10) skin prick tests (SPTs) to recombinant Can f 1. The frequency of TCR Vbeta5.1(+) T cells was significantly higher in the T cell lines of subjects with negative SPTs to the allergen. Moreover, DR4-DQ8 haplotype was over-represented among these subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The DR4-DQ8 haplotype and the TCR Vbeta5.1(+) CD4(+) T cells may be protective against allergy to Can f 1.
Kinnunen
T
T
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. ttkinnun@hytti.uku.fi
Taivainen
A
A
Partanen
J
J
Immonen
A
A
Saarelainen
S
S
Rytkönen-Nissinen
M
M
Rautiainen
J
J
Virtanen
T
T
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D004285:Dogs; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C091462:allergen Can f I