Epitope mapping and structural analysis of the anti-Der p 1 monoclonal antibody: insight into therapeutic potential

J Mol Med (Berl). 2011 Jul;89(7):701-12. doi: 10.1007/s00109-011-0744-4. Epub 2011 May 13.

Abstract

Group 1 allergen from Dermatophagoid pteronyssinus (Der p 1) belongs to the papain-like cysteine protease family and is a major cause of allergic rhinitis and asthma. An anti-Der p 1 monoclonal antibody, mAb W108, was selected and isolated from Der p-specific IgG2b-producing hybridoma clones. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and immunoblotting showed that mAb W108 reacted with four components of Der p extracts with a molecular mass of 35 kDa and pI values varying from 4 to 6; it also reacted with IgE antibodies in the sera of Der p-sensitive patients. In the competitive assay and using azocasein as a substrate, we found that mAb W108 inhibited not only the binding of Der p 1, but also its cysteine protease activity in a dose-dependent manner. The two peptide segments of Der p 1 identified by mAb W108 (aa 151-197 and 286-320) were parts of inter-connecting loops located in the substrate-binding cleft and on the surface of the domain comprising mainly β-sheets. From the predicted interaction between the amino acid sequence in the CDR3 of mAb W108 and Der p 1-binding epitopes, the possible binding sites for mAb W108 to Der p 1 may sterically hinder the IgE epitope and the active site of cysteine protease activity. Administration of mAb W108 in the Der p-sensitized murine model of asthma alleviated allergen-induced airway inflammation and the Th2 cytokine immune response, suggesting its therapeutic potential. These findings can provide new insights into understanding IgE-mediated disease and the design of modified allergen vaccines for future allergen-specific immunotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / chemistry
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology*
  • Arthropod Proteins
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / metabolism
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Binding Sites, Antibody / immunology
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epitope Mapping*
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / chemistry
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / chemistry
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / immunology
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptide Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Protein Conformation
  • Proteomics
  • Respiratory System / immunology
  • Respiratory System / metabolism
  • Respiratory System / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Arthropod Proteins
  • Epitopes
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Peptide Hydrolases
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1