Defining the T cell antigen proteome of wasp venom.
BACKGROUND
While modulation of T cell function is believed to be important in the successful acquisition of clinical tolerance during venom immunotherapy, little is known of the role of wasp venom specific T cell antigens.


OBJECTIVE
We sought comprehensively to characterize the T cell proteome for wasp venom to facilitate the future development of T cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches.


METHODS
Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from wasp venom-allergic individuals and IL-4 ELISPOT analysis, we characterized T cell responses to whole venom and gel filtration/ion exchange-fractionated venom. Reactive fractions were purified and identified using highly sensitive electrospray ion-trap mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
Wasp venom-allergic individuals have detectable whole wasp venom-specific T cells directly ex vivo, which show rapid IL-4 effector function. T cell responses to gel filtration/ion exchange fractionated venom were dominated by responses to phospholipase A(1), hyaluronidase and antigen 5.


CONCLUSIONS
Although it is likely that there are many T cell antigens within wasp venom, the main responses are to proteins coincident with the known IgE-binding proteins.
Aslam
A
A
MRC Human Immunology Unit and Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Kessler
B
B
Batycka
M
M
O'Callaghan
C A
CA
Misbah
S A
SA
Warrell
D A
DA
Ogg
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000032:analysis; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010740:Phospholipases / Q000032:analysis; D020543:Proteome; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000032:analysis; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D020543:Proteome; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D014862:Wasp Venoms; C040583:white-faced hornet venom antigen 5; D015847:Interleukin-4; D010740:Phospholipases; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase