T Cell Epitopes in Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) Pollen Allergens: Choice of Major T Cell Epitopes in Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 Toward Design of the Peptide-Based Immunotherapeutics for the Management of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Japanese cedar pollinosis is caused by exposure to Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen, of which two components, Cry j 1 and Cry j 2, are believed to be the major allergens. T cell lines specific to either Cry j 1 or rCry j 2 were reactive to various portions of each panel of overlapping peptides derived from Cry j 1 or Cry j 2. Two peptides, p211–225 and p108–120, from among six major T cell epitopes identified in Cry j 1 sequence, and three peptides, p182–200, p344–355, and p66–80, from among five in Cry j 2, were chosen to design an artificial polypeptide (named Cry-consensus) based on a difference among the types of the restriction molecules capable of presenting these peptides. After construction of a DNA encoding these peptides in order, Cry-consensus was expressed in Escherichia coli. Five of six T cell epitopes, except for Cry j 2 p344–355, in Cry-consensus were recognized by the T cell clones specific to each peptide. PBMC from allergic patients induced higher proliferation under stimulation from Cry-consensus than individual peptides. Eighty-eight percent of the PBMC (15 of 17) showed proliferation under the Cry-consensus stimulation. Thus, several major T cell epitopes from Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 can be chosen in the design of peptide-based immunotherapeutics for the management of Japanese cedar pollinosis in subjects having various types of HLA class II molecules.