Characterization of the T-cell epitopes of the major peach allergen Pru p 3.

Background: Pru p 3 is the major peach allergen recognized by more than 90% of peach-allergic individuals of the Mediterranean area. Identification of the dominant Pru p 3 T-cell epitopes can improve our understanding of the immune responses against this protein and could be helpful in the development of hypoallergenic immunotherapy. For this purpose, we examined the phenotypes, specificities and cytokine secretion profiles of proliferating T cells in response to Pru p 3 in peach-allergic individuals.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 15 peach-allergic patients were incubated with Pru p 3. The proliferation of antigen-specific T-cell lines (TCLs) was assessed by tritiated methylthymidine incorporation. T-cell epitopes were identified by analyzing the reactivity of TCLs against 8 overlapping peptides spanning the entire length of Pru p 3. We characterized the phenotype of Pru-p-3-specific TCLs by flow cytometry and analyzed their production of interleukin (IL) 4 and gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) by ELISA.

Results: Ninety-two Pru-p-3-specific TCLs were isolated (stimulation index > or =5). These TCLs proliferated mainly in response to Pru p 3(12-27) and Pru p 3(57-72). Pru-p-3-specific TCLs were mainly CD4+ (81%) and expressed cell surface CD30. In addition, TCLs produced high levels of IL-4 and low levels of IFN-gamma, indicating a Th2 phenotype.

Conclusions: Two immunodominant T-cell-reactive regions of Pru p 3 were identified: Pru p 3(12-27) and Pru p 3(57-72). These peptides showed a differential ability to elicit a Th2 response. Taken together, our results provide a better understanding of the immunological T-cell reactivity against Pru p 3.