Abstract
We report the molecular characterization of five human monoclonal antibodies, BAB1-5 (BAB1: IgG(1); BAB4: IgG(2); BAB2, 3, 5: IgG(4)), with specificity for the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1. BAB1-5 were obtained after immunotherapy and contained a high degree of somatic mutations indicative of an antigen-driven affinity maturation process. While BAB1 inhibited the binding of patients IgE to Bet v 1, BAB2 increased IgE recognition of Bet v 1, and, even as Escherichia coli-expressed Fab, augmented Bet v 1-induced immediate type skin reactions. The demonstration that IgG antibodies can enhance allergen-induced allergic reactions is likely to explain the unpredictability of specific immunotherapy.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Allergens / immunology*
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / biosynthesis
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry*
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
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Antibody Specificity
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Antigens, Plant
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Epitopes / immunology
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Escherichia coli / metabolism
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Humans
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Hypersensitivity, Immediate / immunology*
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Hypersensitivity, Immediate / therapy
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Immunoglobulin E / immunology
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Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / immunology
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Immunoglobulin Light Chains / immunology
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Plant Proteins / chemistry
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Plant Proteins / immunology*
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Pollen / immunology*
Substances
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Allergens
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antigens, Plant
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Epitopes
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Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
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Immunoglobulin Light Chains
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Plant Proteins
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Bet v 1 allergen, Betula
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Immunoglobulin E
Associated data
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GENBANK/AJ131055
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GENBANK/AJ131056
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GENBANK/AJ131057
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GENBANK/AJ131058
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GENBANK/AJ131059
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GENBANK/AJ131060
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GENBANK/AJ131061
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GENBANK/AJ131062
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GENBANK/AJ131063
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GENBANK/AJ131064