Modulation of the specific immune response in Balb/c mice by intranasal application of recombinant H1D2 chimera

BACKGROUND Group 1 and group 2 allergens from house dust mite are the major elicitors of respiratory allergic diseases and the main candidates for immunotherapy. RESULTS The potential therapeutic role of a chimera composed of recombinant Der p 2 (D2) linked to Influenza A virus hemagglutinin 1 (H1) for intranasal application was created, expressed and tested in a mouse model. H1D2 and D2 were produced by genetic engineering in E. coli and their primary structure was confirmed by mass fingerprint. Both antigens preserved IgE reactivity in immunoblot with serum from seven house dust mite allergic persons. Balb/c mice were sensitized with D2 allergen in alum and subsequently received H1D2 or D2, intranasally. The reduced levels of serum D2 specific IgE, together with the increased serum specific IgG and IgA were detected in both groups which received H1D2 and D2 intranasally. A higher level of effector CD4+CD25+ spleen lymphocytes was found only in the group of mice which received i.n. H1D2. CONCLUSION H1D2 chimera can have a therapeutic potential in Der p 2 allergic persons as dual vaccine which, beside protective allergen specific, can provide protective antibodies against Influenza A virus hemagglutinin 1.