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C Ebner

Publications and source records attributed to C Ebner.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Modulation of an allergic immune response via the mucosal route in a murine model of inhalative type-I allergy.

A murine model of aerosol inhalation, leading to sensitization to birch pollen (BP) and its major allergen Bet v 1, was established in order to try to influence type-I allergic immune responses via the mucosal route. We previously demonstrated that simultaneous inhalation of BP and cholera toxin, a potent mucosal adjuvant, induced a Th1-like immune response to the allergen in naive mice and modulated allergic immune responses in sensitized mice. In contrast to cholera holotoxin, mucosal application of the cholera B subunit (CTB) conjugated to antigen has been shown to induce peripheral tolerance in certain models of Th1-based autoimmune diseases. In the present study we investigated the potential of such an antigen delivery system to suppress Th2-based, allergic immune responses. Mucosal administration of CTB/Bet v 1 conjugates prior to sensitization led to significantly increased allergen-specific IgE/IgG1 and IgG2a antibody levels and cytokine production (IL-5, IFN-gamma) in vitro. Thus, CTB coupled to Bet v 1 acted as an adjuvant rather than a tolerogen. On the other hand we noted that mucosal application of CTB coupled to ovalbumin led to marked suppression of antigen-specific IgE antibody levels and IL-5 production in vitro and thereby restricted allergic sensitization. These results indicated that the effects of CTB/antigen conjugates depended on the nature of the antigen. In contrast to Bet v 1 coupled to CTB, nasal as well as oral application of low doses of unconjugated, Bet v 1 prior to aerosol sensitization inhibited allergen-specific antibody responses of all isotypes, cutaneous type-I skin tests in vivo as well as allergen-specific lymphoproliferative responses and cytokine production (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IFN-gamma) in vitro, suggesting that both T- and B-cell tolerance to the allergen were induced. Taken together, mucosal tolerance induction as well as the use of certain transmucosal antigen delivery systems might be promising new strategies to modulate type-I allergic immune responses

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The importance of recombinant allergens for diagnosis and therapy of IgE-mediated allergies.

In the past 10 years, a considerable number of cDNAs coding for allergens have been isolated and expressed. Intensive investigations showed that recombinant allergens and their respective natural counterparts possess comparable properties with respect to structure, function and interaction with the immune system. Recent studies documented that in vitro as well as in vivo diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergic diseases can be successfully improved by the application of recombinant allergens. In addition, new strategies for a safer specific immunotherapy (SIT) have been developed based on the knowledge of the primary structures of allergens. Naturally occurring isoforms of allergens as well as recombinant allergens with modified amino acid sequences show very low IgE binding capacity but strong T cell-stimulatory activity and represent possible candidates. In case of Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen, isoforms d, g and l and a Bet v 1a mutant, produced by site-directed mutagenesis resulting in 6 amino acid exchanges, fulfilled the above mentioned criteria. In a third approach, two adjacent peptides covering the entire Bet v 1a sequence were produced in an Escherichia coli expression system. These peptides contained most of the relevant T cell epitopes, but lost their IgE binding capacity and, thus, their ability to activate mast cells and basophils of sensitized patients. Our results suggest that allergen variants (isoforms, mutants, T cell epitope-containing peptides) may be used as 'hypoallergenic agents' in SIT.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rapid production of recombinant allergens in Nicotiana benthamiana and their impact on diagnosis and therapy.

BACKGROUND: Type I allergies are immunological disorders that afflict a quarter of the world's population. Recombinant allergens have improved the diagnosis of allergic diseases and allow the formulation of new therapeutic approaches. Over 50% of all allergens are of plant origin. OBJECTIVE: We have applied a novel method of overexpressing plant allergens in the tobacco-related species Nicotiana benthamiana. METHOD: This method is based on the use of a chimeric tobacco mosaic virus that harbors a foreign gene sequence and directs its transcription after the infection of the host plant. RESULTS: We have expressed the model allergen Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen, and two Hevea brasiliensis latex allergens, the spina-bifida-associated allergens Hev b 1 and Hev b 3, in N. benthamiana using such a viral vector. Bet v 1, Hev b 1 and Hev b 3 produced by this method were recognized by patients' IgE suggesting that the plant-produced allergens were properly folded. Nonpurified Bet v 1 expressed in N. benthamiana leaves had the same immunogenicity as purified Bet v 1 expressed in Escherichia coli or natural Bet v 1 when tested in a murine model of type I allergy. CONCLUSION: We conclude that this plant expression system offers a viable alternative to fermentation-based production of allergens in bacteria or yeasts.

Allergens↗