Functional Profile of Antigen Specific CD4 T Cells in the Immune Response to Phospholipase A1 Allergen from Venom.
Luís Gustavo Romani Fernandes, Amilcar Perez-Riverol, Murilo Luiz Bazon, Débora Moitinho Abram, Márcia Regina Brochetto-Braga, Ricardo de Lima Zollner
Author Information
Luís Gustavo Romani Fernandes: Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Medicine School, FCM, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, Brazil.
Amilcar Perez-Riverol: Center of the Study of Social Insects, Department of General and Applied Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Rio Claro, Institute of Biosciences of Rio Claro, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro 13500, Brazil.
Murilo Luiz Bazon: Laboratory of Arthropods Molecular Biology-LBMA-IBRC-UNESP (São Paulo State University), Rio Claro 13506-900, Brazil.
Débora Moitinho Abram: Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Medicine School, FCM, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, Brazil.
Márcia Regina Brochetto-Braga: Laboratory of Arthropods Molecular Biology-LBMA-IBRC-UNESP (São Paulo State University), Rio Claro 13506-900, Brazil.
Ricardo de Lima Zollner: Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Medicine School, FCM, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-888, Brazil.
Insect venom can cause systemic allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Improvements in diagnosis and venom immunotherapy (VIT) are based on a better understanding of an immunological response triggered by venom allergens. Previously, we demonstrated that the recombinant phospholipase A1 (rPoly p 1) from wasp venom induces specific IgE and IgG antibodies in sensitized mice, which recognized the native allergen. Here, we addressed the T cell immune response of rPoly p 1-sensitized BALB/c mice. Cultures of splenocytes were stimulated with venom extract and the proliferation of CD8 and CD4 T cells and the frequency of T regulatory cells (Tregs) populations were assessed by flow cytometry. Cytokines were quantified in cell culture supernatants in ELISA assays. The in vitro stimulation of T cells from sensitized mice induces a significant proliferation of CD4 T cells, but not of CD8 T cells. The cytokine pattern showed a high concentration of IFN-γ and IL-6, and no significant differences to IL-4, IL-1β and TGF-β1 production. In addition, the rPoly p 1 group showed a pronounced expansion of CD4CD25FoxP3 and CD4CD25FoxP3 Tregs. rPoly p 1 sensitization induces a Th1/Treg profile in CD4 T cell subset, suggesting its potential use in wasp venom immunotherapy.
