RECOMBINANT DNA MOLECULES THAT CODE FOR POLYPEPTIDRECOMBINANT DNA MOLECULES THAT CODE FOR POLYPEPTIDES WITH ANTIGENIC PROPERTIES OF ALLERGENS CLAH8 ANES WITH ANTIGENIC PROPERTIES OF ALLERGENS CLAH8 AND CLAH12 D CLAH12

摘要

The complete cDNA sequences of Cladosporium herbarum allergens Clah8 and Clah12 are disclosed. The molecular biological analysis of said allergens identified Clah12 (recognised by 22 % of all patients) as a ribosomal protein P1. This protein is of interest in that auto-antibodies against ribosomal proteins can be found in Lupus patients, but a link between mould allergies and autoimmune diseases must still be demonstrated. Clah8 (recognised by 9 % of all patients) is highly homologous to a family of transcription factors characterised by a so-called cold shock domain. With this recombinant sequence, highly potent B- and T-cell epitopes could be determined by computer analysis. The peptides derived from the recombinant protein could be used for diagnosing a Cladosporium herbarum mould allergy. In addition, the peptides could be used for stimulating T-cells (promoting their proliferation and interleukin production) in vitro and in vivo in response to specific allergens, but also for blocking T-cells that cause tolerance of allergen-specific T-lymphocytes.