Prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination with carrier-bound Bet v 1 peptides lacking allergen-specific T cell epitopes reduces Bet v 1-specific T cell responses via blocking antibodies in a murine model for birch pollen allergy.
BACKGROUND
Vaccines consisting of allergen-derived peptides lacking IgE reactivity and allergen-specific T cell epitopes bound to allergen-unrelated carrier molecules have been suggested as candidates for allergen-specific immunotherapy.


OBJECTIVE
To study whether prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination with carrier-bound peptides from the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 lacking allergen-specific T cell epitopes has influence on Bet v 1-specific T cell responses.


METHODS
Three Bet v 1-derived peptides, devoid of Bet v 1-specific T cell epitopes, were coupled to KLH and adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide to obtain a Bet v 1-specific allergy vaccine. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized with the peptide vaccine before or after sensitization to Bet v 1. Bet v 1- and peptide-specific antibody responses were analysed by ELISA. T cell and cytokine responses to Bet v 1, KLH, and the peptides were studied in proliferation assays. The effects of peptide-specific and allergen-specific antibodies on T cell responses and allergic lung inflammation were studied using specific antibodies.


RESULTS
Prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination with carrier-bound Bet v 1 peptides induced a Bet v 1-specific IgG antibody response without priming/boosting of Bet v 1-specific T cells. Prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination of mice with the peptide vaccine induced Bet v 1-specific antibodies which suppressed Bet v 1-specific T cell responses and allergic lung inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaccination with carrier-bound allergen-derived peptides lacking allergen-specific T cell epitopes induces allergen-specific IgG antibodies which suppress allergen-specific T cell responses and allergic lung inflammation.
Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
B
B
Linhart
M
M
Narayanan
M
M
Focke-Tejkl
F
F
Wrba
S
S
Vrtala
R
R
Valenta
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029662:Betula; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014611:Vaccination; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D010455:Peptides; D014612:Vaccines; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide
allergens; allergy vaccination; peptides; specific immunotherapy