Characterization of New Allergens from the Venom of the European Paper Wasp Polistes dominula

Abstract

Discriminating Polistes dominula and Vespula spp. venom allergy is of growing importance worldwide, as systemic reactions to either species’ sting can lead to severe outcomes. Administering the correct allergen-specific immunotherapy is therefore a prerequisite to ensure the safety and health of venom-allergic patients. Component-resolved diagnostics of Hymenoptera venom allergy might be improved by adding additional allergens to the diagnostic allergen panel. Therefore, three potential new allergens from P. dominula venom—immune responsive protein 30 (IRP30), vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF C) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2)—were cloned, recombinantly produced and biochemically characterized. Sera sIgE titers of Hymenoptera venom-allergic patients were measured in vitro to assess the allergenicity and potential cross-reactivity of the venom proteins. IRP30 and VEGF C were classified as minor allergens, as sensitization rates lay around 20–40%. About 50% of P. dominula venom-allergic patients had measurable sIgE titers directed against PLA2 from P. dominula venom. Interestingly, PLA2 was unable to activate basophils of allergic patients, questioning its role in the context of clinically relevant sensitization. Although the obtained results hint to a questionable benefit of the characterized P. dominula venom proteins for improved diagnosis of venom-allergic patients, they can contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Hymenoptera venoms and to the identification of factors that determine the allergenic potential of proteins.

Managing systemic reactions and venom immunotherapy in vespid-venom allergy: observations from a retrospective study of Portuguese patients

“…Recurrence of sting reactions after VIT conclusion have been reported in about 0% to 10% of cases within one to five years following completion (12,(36)(37)(38). In our study, we found that 16 patients (59.3%) had already been re-stung, with no systemic or LLR reported after concluding VIT.…”

EAACIMolecular Allergology User's Guide 2.0

“…214 Another allergen of Polistes dominula rPol d 3 showed basophil activation in Polistes dominula venom (PDV)-and/or YJV-allergic patients from Spain and HBV-and YJV-allergic patients from Germany and was compared with the other recombinant dipeptidyl peptidase IV allergens rVes v 3 or rApi m 5. 215 Polistes PLA2 from Polistes dominula venom and other HBV components (C1q-like protein (C1q) and PDGF/ VEGF-like (PVF1) were unable to activate basophils of allergic patients despite exhibition of specific IgE reactivity questioning their role in the context of clinically relevant sensitization. 216,217 Similarly, neither the hyaluronidase of Polistes dominula (Pol d 2) nor of Vespula vulgaris (Ves v 2b) showed significant basophil activation in any insect venom allergic patient, whereas the allergen rApi m 2 caused a moderate activation in Api m 2 sensitized HBV allergic patients.…”

“…Another allergen of Polistes dominula rPol d 3 showed basophil activation in Polistes dominula venom (PDV)—and/or YJV‐allergic patients from Spain and HBV‐ and YJV‐allergic patients from Germany and was compared with the other recombinant dipeptidyl peptidase IV allergens rVes v 3 or rApi m 5 215 …”

Molecular diagnosis contribution for personalized medicine

“…Three potential new allergens from Polistes dominula venom have been characterized. Immune responsive protein 30 (IRP30) and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) were classified as minor allergens and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was recognized by 50% of P. dominula venom-allergic patients but this allergen was unable to activate basophils of allergic patients, questioning its clinical relevance [44]. Sen-sitization profiles to Hymenoptera venom may differ in different geographical areas.…”