VARIANTS OF <i>PHLEUM PRATENSE</i> ALLERGENIC PROTEINS

Abstract: Hypoallergenic variants of the major allergen Phl p 1 of <i>Phleum pratense</i> plants and their use in the therapy of the allergic diseases is disclosed.

Description: VARIANTS OF Phleum pratense ALLERGENIC PROTEINS The present invention relates to novel variants of an allergen of the pollen of plants of the species Phleum pratense. More particularly, the present invention relates to the amino acidic sequences of hypoallergenic variants of the allergen Phi p 1, obtained by sitespecific mutagenesis of the nucleotidic sequence encoding for said allergen. The hypoallergenic variants can be used in the specific immunotherapy of allergic pathologies caused by Graminaceae pollen. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Graminaceae are the major cause of allergy in the Mediterranean area. Thirteen different types of allergenic proteins, phylogenetically conserved within this family, have been identified in their pollen. For each allergen, the homologous proteins present in the various species constitute a class, inside which high cross-reactivity towards immunoglobulins E (IgE), the antibodies modulating the allergic response, is observed. Classes 1 and 5 are formed by major allergens, i.e. the most clinically relevant allergens, in that IgEs to the components of these groups are present statistically in more than 80% of subjects allergic to Graminaceae. Phleum pratense, a Graminacea widely diffused due to its value as fodder, is therefore extremely important from the allergological point of view. The major allergen Phi p 1 of Phleum pratense (identified in GenBank under the accession code X78813) is a protein of 240 amino acids, which in vivo forms one of the components of cell wall (beta-expansin). This allergen has higher than 90% homology to the other class 1 proteins characterized up to now (1). One of the immunochemical properties that Phi p 1 shares with the other allergens of the same group is the presence of common epitopes for IgEs (2). As a consequence, the allergen Phi p 1 can be used for both the diagnosis and the therapy of the allergies to Graminaceae pollen caused by major allergens of class 1, independently of the species of origin. The only etiological treatment of allergies is represented by specific hyposensitizing immunotherapy (SIT). This consists in administering increasing doses of the substance which causes the allergy, thus inducing gradual desensitization to said substance in the patient (3) ' . Immunotherapy may, however, induce even serious systemic effects, which restrict the use thereof (4). Progresses in SIT, intended to ensure a more effective, safer treatment, include the use of mutagenized recombinant allergens having reduced allergenic activity (reactivity to IgEs) while maintaining unaffected their capability of inducing favourable immunological changes (5). DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Analysis of Phi p 1 structure (natural form, GenBank X78813) and particularly of its hydrophilicity profile, allowed to identify the regions apparently responsible for the binding to IgEs. It has therefore been proved that that allergenic effect of Phi p 1 may be reduced by changing its amino acidic sequence in at least one of the positions n. 28, 35, 44, 48, 179, 181, 183, 185, in which a residue of the amino acid lysine is present. "Change" herein means substituting one or more residues in the specified positions preferably with neutral or polar amino acids, or deleting one or more Lys residues present in the natural form, or simultaneously substituting and deleting two or more residues. The preferred mutations by substitution are those in which an alanine residue is inserted at each of the 8 positions indicated above. Most preferred is the variant in which the eight substitutions indicated in SEQ ID N. 2 are simultaneously present. The present invention also comprises the class 1 allergenic proteins of Graminaceae having sequence homology higher than 85% compared with Phi p 1 and having, at the corresponding positions of the amino acidic sequence, the same substitution/deletion pattern as described above for Phi p 1. The invention further comprises an immunologically active peptide deriving from the amino acidic sequence of Phi p 1 , or from an homologous sequence thereof, and containing at least one of the substitutions/deletions described above. In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a nucleic acid molecule encoding for a mutation variant of Phi p 1 , for an homologous variant thereof, or for a peptide derived therefrom, as specified above. The sequence variants according to the invention can easily be prepared starting from cDNA of the allergen Phi p 1 mature form, or of an homologous variant thereof, which does not include the region coding the signal peptide and suitably mutagenized at the desired positions. The cDNA sequence (mutagenized bases in bold print) coding the preferred variant with the 8 substitutions corresponding to SEQ ID N. 2, is reported in SEQ ID N. 1. The cDNA of SEQ ID N. 1 was expressed in Escherichia coli cells. The produced recombinant protein has reduced IgE reactivity of the serum from subjects allergic to Phleum pratense pollen. In particular, ELISA immunoassays proved that IgE reactivity of the variant reported in SEQ ID N.2 decreases on the average by more than 95% compared with that of the normal protein produced in Escherichia coli [Fig. 1]. This result was confirmed by inhibition tests (indirect ELISA), which allowed to identify the same epitopes in different proteins. The binding of normal Phi p 1 protein to IgEs from a pool of RAST 5 + sera is inhibited when serum is pretreated with this protein [Fig. 2, normal inhibitor]. When serum is preincubated with the modified protein reported in SEQ ID N. 2, inhibition of IgE binding to the normal allergen is lower than 5%, even at high concentrations of inhibitor [Fig. 2, modified inhibitor]. These results clearly prove that the epitopes of the allergen Phi p 1 able to bind IgEs are not present in the modified variant reported in SEQ ID N. 2. The invention further relates to an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule coding for any one of the hypoallergenic variants defined above. Said vector can be a plasmid, cosmid, virus, bacteriophage or any other vector commonly used in genetic engineering, and can include, in addition to the nucleic acid molecule of the invention, eukaryotic or prokaryotic elements for the control of the expression, such as regulatory sequences for the initiation and the termination of the transcription, enhancers, promoters, signal sequences and the like. Moreover, the invention comprises a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell transformed into or transfected with the vector of the invention. In principle, prokaryotic cells such as Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis, or eukaryotic cells such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae will be used for cloning the vector and expressing the cDNA. The protein variants of the invention can be produced either as such or as fusion proteins. Thanks to the reduced IgE reactivity, said variants may be used for therapeutical purposes in the preparation of vaccines to be used in the immunotherapy of allergies to Graminaceae pollen. A further aspect of the invention relates therefore to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of the hypoallergenic variant of the invention, optionally in combination with other natural or modified allergens of Graminaceae, together with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In a preferred embodiment, said pharmaceutical composition is a vaccine for use in the prophylactic or therapeutical treatment of allergic diseases, such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis. Vaccination principles and practice are well known to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in (6) and (7). The following examples illustrate the invention in greater detail. EXAMPLES The methods used in the following examples, if not otherwise specified, are those described by Sambrook, Fritsch ET Maniatis "Molecular cloning. A laboratory manual" II ed. vol. 1-2-3 CSH Lab Press 1989. EXAMPLE 1 - Site-specific mutagenesis of the cDNA coding for the allergen Phi p 1 The site-specific mutagenesis of the cDNA coding for the allergen Phi p 1 is carried out by PCR amplification (Polymerase Chain Reaction) of the same cDNA cloned in a prokaryotic vector (pBluescript). The oligonucleotides used as primer for the PCR reaction have the required substitutions of bases. For each mutagenesis, a complementary pair of said oligonucleotides has been used, which bind to corresponding regions of the two DNA strands. After amplification, the original, unchanged template is selectively degraded by enzymatic digestion catalyzed by the restriction enzyme Dpn 1. Escherichia coli cells are then transformed with the mutagenized molecules. Clones obtained from single bacterial colonies are sequenced according to the Sanger method to verify the correct modification of the bases and the absence of cDNA aspecific mutations. EXAMPLE 2 - Production of the protein Phi p 1 and of the variant thereof Normal cDNA from Phi p 1 and mutagenized cDNA, corresponding to SEQ ID N. 1, after cloning in an expression vector (pCALn - Stratagene), are expressed in Escherichia coli cells according to standard protocols, wherein the culture in esponential growth (O.D. 600 nm = 0.6) is added with of IPTG (isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside) for inducing the expression of cDNA. The recombinant proteins are isolated 2 hrs after induction of their synthesis by lysis of the bacterial cells through sonication and removal of cell particulate by centrifugation. Proteins are purified from supernatant by affinity chromatography, using columns wherein the matrix is bonded to the calmodulin protein, which interacts with the CBP portion (Calmodulin Binding Protein) fused to the allergen. EXAMPLE 3 -ELISA assay for IgE reactivity of the Phi p 1 variant Equal amounts (0.1 μg) of normal allergen and of its mutagenized variants, in carbonate/bicarbonate 50 mM buffer, pH 9,6, are adsorbed on wells of polystyrene plates for ELISA tests by incubation at 4°C for 16 hours. The antigens are then washed with washing solution (60 mM phosphate buffer pH 6,5 containing 0.05% Tween-20) and the free sites are saturated with diluent solution (25% horse serum, EDTA 1 mM, 0.05% Tween 20, 0.01% Thiomersal in phosphate buffer 150 mM pH 7,4). Serial dilutions of human serum pools with RAST 5+ reactivity are prepared in a 1:2 ratio in diluent buffer. Equal amounts (100 μl) of the various serum dilutions are added to each sample and incubated at 25°C for 2 hours. After three washings, the anti-human IgE peroxisase conjugated antiserum diluted 1 :1500 in diluent buffer is added, and incubated at 25°C for 1.5 hours. After three washings, the colorimetric reaction is developed by addition of 100 μl of Ultra Blu reagent (Intergen, Milford, MA) and incubation for 15 minutes at 25°C. The reaction is stopped by addition of 100 μl of IN HCl and evaluated at 450 nm with a sp e ctr ophotometer . EXAMPLE 4 - EAST inhibition ELISA-inhibition assay for IgE reactivity of the Phi p 1 variant An amount (0.1 μg) of the normal allergen Phi p 1 is adsorbed onto wells of ELISA plates and the free sites are saturates as indicated in Example 3. A suitable amount of a pool of human sera with RAST 5+ reactivity to Phleum pratense pollen is incubated with different concentrations of inhibitor at 25°C for 3 hours. Afterwards, an equal amount (0.1 ml) of serum is then added to each well. After incubation at 4°C for 16 hours, 3 washings with 0.06 M phosphate buffer pH 6.5 containing 0.05% Tween-20 are carried out; then 0.1 ml of suitably diluted anti-human IgE peroxidatse conjugated antibody are added, incubating at 25°C for 1.5 hours. After 3 washings, the colorimetric reaction is developed by addition of 0.1 ml of Ultra Blu reagent (Intergen, Milford, MA) to each well and incubation for 15 minutes at 25°C. The reaction is stopped by addition of 0.1 ml of IN HCl and evaluated at 450 nm with a spectrophotometer. The inhibition percentage is calculated by using the following formula: 100 x [(A-B)/A], wherein A is the absorbance at 450 nm in the absence of inhibitor and B the absorbance in the presence of inhibitor. REFERENCES 1) Laffer S., Valenta R., Vrtala S., Susani M., van Ree R., Kraft D., Scheine O., Duchene M., (1994) "Complementary DNA cloning of the major allergen Phi p I from timothy grass (Phleum pratense); recombinant Phi p I inhibSHT IgE binding to group I allergens from eight different grass species". J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 94 (4): 689-698 2) Laffer S., Duchene M., Reimitzer I., Susani M., Mannhalter C, Kraft D., Valenta R., (1996) "Common IgE-epitopes of recombinant Phi p 1, the major timothy grass pollen allergen and natural group I grass pollen isoallergens". Mol. Immunol. 33 (4-5): 417- 426 3) Bousquet J., Lockey R., Mailing H.J., (1998). "Allergen immunotherapy: therapeutic vaccines for allergic diseases. A WHO position paper". J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 102 (4 Pt 1): 558-562 4) Karaayvaz M., Erel F., Caliskaner Z., Ozanguc N., (1999). "Systemic reactions two to allergen immunotherapy". J. Investig. Allergol. Clin. Immunol. 9 (1): 39-44 5) Ferreira F., Ebner C, Kramer B., Casari G., Briza P., Kungl A.J., Grimm R., Jahn-Schmid B., Breiteneder H., Kraft D., Breitenbach M., Rheinberger H.J., Scheiner O., (1998). "Modulation of IgE reactivity of allergens by site- directed mutagenesis: potential use of hypoallergenic variants for immunotherapy". FASEB J. 12: 231-242 6) Paul, (1989), "Fundamental Immunology", Raven press, New York. 7) Cryz, S. J. (1991), "Immunotherapy and Vaccines", VCH Verlagsgesellschaft.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A variant of a class 1 allergenic protein of Graminaceae, wherein at least one of the Lys residues present at the positions 28, 35, 44, 48, 179, 181, 183, 185 of the major allergen Phi p 1 is substituted and/or deleted. 2. A variant as claimed in claim 1, wherein said allergenic protein is Phl p 1. 3. A variant as claimed in claims 1-2, wherein said residues are substituted with neutral or polar amino acids. 4. A variant as claimed in claims 1-3, wherein said residues are substituted with the amino acid alanine. 5. A variant as claimed in claims 1-4, having sequence SEQ ID N. 2. 6. A peptide comprising an immunologically active part of a variant of claims 1-5, wherein at least one substitution/deletion as claimed in claim 1 is present. 7. A nucleic acid molecule coding for a protein variant as claimed in claims 1-5 or for a peptide as claimed in claim 6. 8. A nucleic acid molecule as claimed in claim 7, of sequence SEQ ID N. 1. 9. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claims 7-8. 10. A host cell transduced with the vector of claim 9. 11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a protein variant as claimed in claims 1-5 or of a peptide as claimed in claim 6 together with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. 12. A composition as claimed in claim 11, in the form of a vaccine.

Inventors: FALAGIANI PAOLO, MISTRELLO GIOVANNI, RONCAROLO DANIELA, STURARO MONICA, VIOTTI ANGELO, ZANOTTA STEFANIA, FALAGIANI, PAOLO, MISTRELLO, GIOVANNI, RONCAROLO, DANIELA, STURARO, MONICA, VIOTTI, ANGELO, ZANOTTA, STEFANIA
Applicants: CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE RICERCHE, FALAGIANI PAOLO, MISTRELLO GIOVANNI, RONCAROLO DANIELA, STURARO MONICA, VIOTTI ANGELO, ZANOTTA STEFANIA, CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE, FALAGIANI, PAOLO, MISTRELLO, GIOVANNI, RONCAROLO, DANIELA, STURARO, MONICA, VIOTTI, ANGELO, ZANOTTA, STEFANIA
Application year: 2001
Main classification: C07K14
IPC codes: A61K38, A61K39, C07K14, C12N15