Th2-skewed T cells correlate with B cell response to [alpha]-Gal and tick antigens in [alpha]-Gal syndrome

Tick bites have been shown to transmit a novel form of severe food allergy, the galactose-[alpha]-1,3-galactose ([alpha]-Gal) syndrome (AGS). Cellular responses to [alpha]-Gal in patients with AGS have, to date, not been thoroughly scrutinized. Therefore, we investigated T and B cell proliferation,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of clinical investigation 2023-03, Vol.133 (6)
Main Authors: Apostolovic, Danijela, Grundstrom, Jeanette, Kiewiet, Mensiena B. Gea, Perusko, Marija, Hamsten, Carl, Starkhammar, Maria, Paulie, Staffan, van Hage, Marianne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antigenic determinants
B cells
Bites and stings
Causes of
CD4 lymphocytes
Development and progression
Disease transmission
Food allergy
Galactose
Health aspects
Immune response
Immunity
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulin G
Physiological aspects
Proteins
T cells
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Summary:Tick bites have been shown to transmit a novel form of severe food allergy, the galactose-[alpha]-1,3-galactose ([alpha]-Gal) syndrome (AGS). Cellular responses to [alpha]-Gal in patients with AGS have, to date, not been thoroughly scrutinized. Therefore, we investigated T and B cell proliferation, activation, and cytokine profiles in response to tick protein extract (TE) and [alpha]-Gal-free TE in patients with AGS and in healthy controls. T and B cells from both patients and controls proliferated in response to TE, but significantly more in patients with AGS. B cell proliferation, but not T cell proliferation, in patients with AGS was reduced by removing [alpha]-Gal from the TE. In addition, TE induced a clear Th2 cytokine profile in patients with AGS. Expression of CD23 by B cells correlated only to T cell proliferation. However, both B cell proliferation and CD23 expression were reduced when CD40L and IL-4 were blocked. A large portion of the IgG1 and IgE antibodies binding TE in patients with AGS were directed against the [alpha]-Gal epitope. We have, for what we believe to be the first time, investigated T and B cell responses to [alpha]-Gal carrying tick proteins in patients with AGS, which will be essential for the understanding of the immune response against an allergenic carbohydrate transmitted by ticks.
ISSN:0021-9738
DOI:10.1172/JCI158357