Ana o 1 and Ana o 2 cashew allergens share cross-reactive CD4+ T-cell epitopes with other tree nuts
Abstract
Background
Allergies to cashew are increasing in prevalence, with clinical symptoms ranging from oral pruritus to fatal anaphylactic reaction. Yet, cashew-specific T-cell epitopes and T-cell cross-reactivity amongst cashew and other tree nut allergens in humans remain uncharacterized.
Objectives
In this study, we characterized cashew specific T-cell responses in cashew allergic subjects and examined cross-reactivity of these cashew specific cells toward other tree nut allergens.
Methods
CD154 up-regulation assay was used to determine immunodominance hierarchy among cashew major allergens at the T cell level. The phenotype, magnitude and functionality of cashew-specific T-cells was determined by utilizing ex vivo staining with MHC class II tetramers. Dual tetramer staining and proliferation experiments were used to determine cross-reactivity to other tree nuts.
Results
CD4+ T-cell responses were directed towards cashew allergens Ana o 1 and Ana o 2. Multiple Ana o 1 and Ana o 2 T-cell epitopes were then identified. These epitopes elicited either TH2 or TH2/TH17 responses in allergic subjects, which were either cashew unique epitope or cross-reactive epitopes. For clones that recognized the cross-reactive epitope, T-cell clones responded robustly to cashew, hazelnut and/or pistachio but not to walnut.
Conclusions
Phylogenetically diverse tree nut allergens can activate cashew reactive T-cells and elicit a TH2 type response at an epitope specific level.