Specific histamine release capacity of peptides selected from the modelized Der p I protein, a major allergen of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

Dust mite allergens are considered as a major cause of allergic disease and as a risk factor for asthma. Der p I, a 222 amino-acid residue globular glycoprotein, is one of the major allergens from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) mites. In this study, we have used predictive conventional algorithms (i.e. hydrophilicity, mobility, accessibility) and a three-dimensional model of Der p I derived from comparison to actinidin and papain to select continuous amino acid sequences as potential B cell epitopes. Four peptides, 52-71, 117-133, 176-187, 188-199 were synthesized. Their antigenic reactivity was investigated, mainly by measuring their capacity to induce in vitro histamine release. Results indicated that only Dpt-sensitive patients react specifically to Der p I-derived peptides and more frequently to 52-71 and 117-133. For each peptide, the intensity of response was dependent on the patient tested and on the peptide concn. The capacity of peptides to induce histamine release was demonstrated to be correlated with the serum level of anti-Der p I IgE (r = 0.86; p less than 10(-2)). Taken together these data emphasize, in Dpt-sensitive patients, the heterogeneity of the specific response to synthetic Der p I-derived peptides and underline the possible variety of epitopes belonging to the allergen Der p I.