PMU-Autor/inn/en
Hartl Arnulf JosefAbstract
Background: T(H)2 lymphocytes play an important role in the induction and maintenance phase of type I allergy. Modulation of the responses of T(H)2 lymphocytes by novel forms of antigen-presenting platforms may help shape the immune response to allergen and palliate allergic diseases. Objective: To present HLA class II/allergen-peptide complexes on virus-like particles (VLPs) and to evaluate their potential to modulate allergen-specific T-cell responses. Methods: Virus-like particles that express the immunodominant T-cell epitope Art v 1(25-34) of the major mugwort pollen allergen in the context of HLA-DR1 and costimulatory molecules were produced by transfection of 293 cells. The effect of VLPs on IL-2 promoter activity, proliferation, and cytokine production of allergen-specific T cells derived from donors with and without mugwort pollen allergy was determined. Results: Flow-cytometric analyses showed that HLA class II molecules, invariant chain::Art v 1 fusion proteins, and costimulatory molecules were expressed on 293 cells. Biochemical analyses confirmed that these molecules were efficiently targeted to VLPs. The engineered VLPs activated Art v 1-specific T cells in a costimulation-dependent manner. VLPs lacking costimulators induced T-cell unresponsiveness, which was overcome by addition of exogenous IL-2. Costimulation could be provided by CD80, CD86, or CD58 and induced distinct cytokine profiles in allergen-specific T cells. Unlike the other costimulatory molecules, CD58 induced IL-10/IFN-gamma-secreting T cells. Conclusion: Virus-like particles represent a novel, modular, acellular antigen-presenting system able to modulate the responses of allergen-specific T cells in a costimulator-dependent fashion. Allergen-specific VLPs show promise as tools for specific immunotherapy of allergic diseases. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009;124:121-8.)
Useful keywords (using NLM MeSH Indexing)
Cell Line
Cloning, Molecular
Cytokines/immunology
Genetic Vectors/genetics
HLA-A Antigens/genetics
HLA-A Antigens/metabolism
HLA-A Antigens/pharmacology
HLA-DR Antigens/genetics
HLA-DR Antigens/metabolism*
HLA-DR Antigens/pharmacology*
HLA-DRB1 Chains
Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/immunology*
Humans
Immunization/methods*
Jurkat Cells
Kidney/cytology
T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
Virion/genetics
Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
Artificial APC