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Clinical and Translational Allergy

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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Research

Evaluation of basophil activation caused by transgenic rice seeds expressing whole T cell epitopes of the major Japanese cedar pollen allergens

Authors: Shinya Takaishi, Saburo Saito, Minori Kamada, Nobuyoshi Otori, Hiromi Kojima, Kenjiro Ozawa, Fumio Takaiwa

Published in: Clinical and Translational Allergy | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Japanese cedar (JC) pollinosis is a serious type I allergic disease in Japan. Although subcutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy have been applied to treat JC pollinosis, high doses of allergens may cause IgE-mediated allergic reactions. The transgenic rice seeds that contain genetically modified Cry j 1 and Cry j 2, the two major allergens of JC pollen, have been developed as candidates for oral immunotherapy. Although the antigens in the transgenic rice seeds (Tg-rice seeds) were engineered such that they decrease binding ability with IgE and they are of insufficient length to cross-link IgE on the surface of mast cells or basophils, the safety of Tg-rice seeds for patients with JC pollinosis was unclear.

Methods

To verify the safety of Tg-rice seeds in terms of allergies, we investigated the percentage of activated basophils induced by Tg-rice seed extract in the basophil activation test. Blood samples from 29 patients with JC pollinosis were collected. Tg-rice seed extract, non-transgenic wild-type rice seed extract, and Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 were mixed with the blood with reagents. The percentage of activated basophils was assessed by CD203c expression, a basophil activation marker.

Results

The percentage of activated basophils after the stimulation with Tg-rice seed extract was 4.5 ± 1.6% (mean ± SD) compared with 62.9 ± 20.2% after Cry j 1- and Cry j 2-stimulation (difference 58.4%, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval 51.0–65.9%).

Conclusions

The results will contribute to the safety of Tg-rice seeds in terms of allergies.

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Title: Evaluation of basophil activation caused by transgenic rice seeds expressing whole T cell epitopes of the major Japanese cedar pollen allergens
Authors: Shinya Takaishi
Saburo Saito
Minori Kamada
Nobuyoshi Otori
Hiromi Kojima
Kenjiro Ozawa
Fumio Takaiwa
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Clinical and Translational Allergy / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 2045-7022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13601-019-0249-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Evaluation of basophil activation caused by transgenic rice seeds expressing whole T cell epitopes of the major Japanese cedar pollen allergens

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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