A non-allergenic Ole e 1-like protein from birch pollen as a tool to design hypoallergenic vaccine candidates

Recombinant DNA technology offers several approaches to convert allergens into hypoallergenic derivatives that can represent the basis of novel, safer and more effective forms of allergy vaccines. In this context, we used a new strategy for the design of a hypoallergenic derivative of Ole e 1, the main allergen of olive pollen. By screening a cDNA library from birch pollen, the clone BB18, encoding the birch counterpart of Ole e 1, was identified. In this study, BB18 has been produce in Pichia pastoris as a recombinant protein and immunologically characterized. The well-established non-allergenic properties of BB18 were used to generate a genetic variant of Ole e 1, named OB55–58, by site-direct mutagenesis of four residues (E55V56G57Y58) in an IgE/IgG epitope of Ole e 1 by the corresponding ones in BB18 (SDSE). OB55–58 was expressed in P. pastoris, purified to homogeneity and analyzed for IgE-reactivity by means of ELISA using sera from olive pollen allergic patients and rat basophil activation assay. T cell reactivity was assayed in a mouse model of Ole e 1 sensitization. The mutant OB55–58 exhibited an impaired IgE reactivity, but not affected T cell reactivity, compared to wild type rOle e 1. This study emphasizes the usefulness of BB18 as a tool for epitope mapping and for engineering hypoallergenic derivatives of Ole e 1 as vaccine candidates for allergy prevention and treatment.

► BB18 is a non-allergenic Ole e 1-like protein from birch. It provides a valuable tool to engineer hypoallergenic vaccine candidates.
► Point mutant OB55–58 was generated by replacing amino acids within an Ole e 1-IgE epitope by those of BB18.
► OB55–58 mutant exhibits impaired IgE reactivity but conserved T cell reactivity, representing a hypoallergenic derivative of Ole e 1.