Ara h 2-specific IgE epitope-like peptides inhibit the binding of IgE to Ara h 2 and suppress lgE-dependent effector cell activation

Korošec, Peter (author), Koren, Ana (author), Debeljak, Jerneja (author), Zahirović, Abida (author), Skerbinjek-Kavalar, Maja (author), Berce, Vojko (author), Dejanović, Luka (author), Luzar, Jernej (author), Štrukelj, Borut (author), Lunder, Mojca (author)

Background: Clinical and experimental analyses indicate a pathognomonic role for allergen IgE crosslinking through epitope–paratope interactions as a major initial step in the cascade leading to effector cell activation and clinical manifestations of lgE-mediated food allergies. We aimed to undertake the initial development and assessment of Ara h 2-specific IgE epitope-like peptides that can bind to allergenspecific IgE paratopes and suppress effector cell activation. Methods: We performed biopanning, screening, IgE binding, selection and mapping of peptides. We generated synthetic peptides for use in all functional experiments. ImmunoCAP inhibition, basophil and mast cell activation tests, with LAD2 cells, a human mast cell line were performed. Twenty-six children or young adults who had peanut allergy were studied. Results: We identified and selected three linear peptides (DHPRFNRDNDVA, DHPRYGP and DHPRFST), and immunoblot analyses revealed binding to lgE from peanut-allergic individuals. The peptide sequences were aligned to the disordered region corresponding to the loop between helices 2 and 3 of Ara h 2, and conformational mapping showed that the peptides match the surface of Ara h 2 and h 6 but not other peanut allergens. In ImmunoCAP inhibition experiments, the peptides significantly inhibit the binding of IgE to Ara h 2 (p < .001). In basophil and mast cell activation tests, the peptides significantly suppressed Ara h 2-induced effector cell activation (p < .05) and increased the half-maximal Ara h 2 effective concentration (p < .05). Binding of the peptides to specific IgEs did not induce activation of basophils or mast cells. Conclusions: These studies show that the indicated peptides reduce the allergenic activity of Ara h 2 and suppress lgE-dependent basophil and mast cell activation. These observations may suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for food allergy based on epitope–paratop blocking.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Ara h 2, ImmunoCAP inhibition, basophil activation test, epitopes, mast cell activation test, paratopes, peanut allergy, peptides, specific IgE
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FFA - Faculty of Pharmacy
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2023
• Number of pages: Str. 636-647
• Numbering: Vol. 53, iss. 6
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-147382
• UDC: 616-056.43
• ISSN on article: 1365-2222
• DOI: 10.1111/cea.14314
• COBISS.SI-ID: 151992835
• Publication date in RUL: 03.07.2023

KOROŠEC, Peter, KOREN, Ana, DEBELJAK, Jerneja, ZAHIROVIĆ, Abida, SKERBINJEK-KAVALAR, Maja, BERCE, Vojko, DEJANOVIĆ, Luka, LUZAR, Jernej, ŠTRUKELJ, Borut and LUNDER, Mojca, 2023, Ara h 2-specific IgE epitope-like peptides inhibit the binding of IgE to Ara h 2 and suppress lgE-dependent effector cell activation. Clinical & experimental allergy [online]. 2023. Vol. 53, no. 6, p. 636–647. [Accessed 26 April 2025]. DOI 10.1111/cea.14314. Retrieved from: https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/IzpisGradiva.php?lang=eng&id=147382

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Clinical & experimental allergy
• Shortened title: Clin. exp. allergy
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1365-2222
• COBISS.SI-ID: 515014681

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
• Description: The most restrictive Creative Commons license. This only allows people to download and share the work for no commercial gain and for no other purposes.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: alergeni, Ara h 2, test aktivacije bazofilcev, epitopi, inhibicija ImmunoCAP, test aktivacije mastocitov, paratopi, alergija na arašide, peptidi, specifični IgE

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P3-0360
• Name: Celostna obravnava alergijskih bolezni in astme v Sloveniji: od epidemiologije do genetike

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P4-0127
• Name: Farmacevtska biotehnologija: znanost za zdravje