Synthetic B-cell linear epitopes of allergens from clinically relevant Hymenoptera for improved molecular diagnosis and immunotherapy of venom allergy

• Grant number: 18/24834-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: June 01, 2019
• End date: February 29, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Mario Sergio Palma
• Grantee: Amilcar Perez Riverol
• Supervisor: Thilo Jakob
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU), Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 17/22405-3 - IDENTIFICATION AND SYNTHESIS OF PEPTIDES CORRESPONDING TO B-CELL LINEAR EPITOPES IN ALLERGENS FROM VENOM OF SOCIAL HYMENOPTERA: DEVELOPMENT OF SUPPLIES FOR DIAGNOSIS AND IMMUNOTHERAPY OF ALLERGY, BP.PD

Abstract

Insect venom often triggers hypersensitive reactions and anaphylaxis in untreated allergic patients. Precise diagnosis regarding the clinically relevant species is mandatory for the success of the venom immunotherapy (VIT), the only disease-curative treatment available. Peptide-based cross-reactivity among homologous allergens from different species represents a major challenge for the proper identification of the primary sensitizing venom. Thus, the identification and characterization of cross-reactive epitopes among allergens from clinically relevant insects is critical for the improvement of molecular diagnosis of allergy. Here, up to 29 synthetic peptides corresponding to recently mapped B-cells linear epitopes of major allergens from bee, ant and wasp venoms will be characterized immunologically and structurally. Their IgE reactivity and allergenicity will be assessed by ELISA and basophil activation tests (BATs), using highly defined sera regarding the prevalence of specific IgE to individual allergens. A comprehensive analysis of the peptide-based cross reactivity among wasp/ant venom phospholipase A1 (PLA1) and antigen 5 as well as bee/wasp venom hyaluronidase, will be conducted. Moreover, using arrays of overlapping peptides covering the complete sequence of these allergens, their IgG4 linear epitopes will be mapped. Overall, the results derived from this project will significantly enhance our understanding of allergenicity and peptide-based cross-reactivity among homologous venom allergens from insect of similar as well as different geographical zones. The study could allow the identification of novel Family/Subfamily-specific molecular markers which can significantly improve the systems currently used for allergy diagnostic in Brazil. Moreover, identification and further evaluation of B-cell linear IgG4 epitopes could result in the development of peptide-based vaccines for the induction of tolerance in Brazilian allergic patients. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ROMANI FERNANDES, LUIS GUSTAVO; PEREZ-RIVEROL, AMILCAR; BAZON, MURILO LUIZ; ABRAM, DEBORA MOITINHO; BROCHETTO-BRAGA, MARCIA REGINA; ZOLLNER, RICARDO DE LIMA. Functional Profile of Antigen Specific CD4(+)T Cells in the Immune Response to Phospholipase A1 Allergen fromPolybia paulistaVenom. TOXINS, v. 12, n. 6, JUN 2020. (14/13936-7, 17/22405-3, 18/24834-1, 19/00729-7)

JAKOB, THILO; RAUBER, MICHELE MYRIAM; PEREZ-RIVEROL, AMILCAR; SPILLNER, EDZARD; BLANK, SIMON. The Honeybee Venom Major Allergen Api m 10 (Icarapin) and Its Role in Diagnostics and Treatment of Hymenoptera Venom Allergy. CURRENT ALLERGY AND ASTHMA REPORTS, v. 20, n. 9, JUN 16 2020. (17/22405-3, 16/16212-5, 18/24834-1)