ORIGINAL PAPER: Defining the T cell antigen proteome of wasp venom

• Published in: Clinical and experimental allergy 2006-10, Vol.36 (10), p.1274-1280
• Main Authors: Aslam, A, Kessler, B, Batycka, M, O'Callaghan, CA, Misbah, SA, Warrell, DA, Ogg, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hymenoptera
• ISSN: 0954-7894; 1365-2222
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02569.x

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 sub(1), hyaluronidase and antigen 5. Conclusion: 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.