Phl p 5a derivatives having reduced allergeneity and retained t-cell reactivity

Abstract

The present invention relates to the preparation and use of variants of the group 5 allergen of the Pooideae which are characterised by reduced IgE reactivity compared with the known wild-type allergens and at the same time by substantially retained reactivity with T lymphocytes. These hypoallergenic allergen variants can be employed for the specific immunotherapy (hyposensitisation) of patients having grass pollen allergy or for the preventative immunotherapy of grass pollen allergies.

1 . A variant of a group 5 wild-type allergen of the Pooideae, wherein the variant has reduced IgE reactivity compared with the wild-type allergen and substantially retains reactivity with T lymphocytes. 
     
     
         2 . The allergen variant of  claim 1 , selected from the group consisting of wild-type allergens Phl p 5a, Poa p 5 and Lol p 5. 
     
     
         3 . The allergen variant of  claim 1 , derived from wild-type allergen Phl p 5a. 
     
     
         4 . The allergen variant of  claim 1 , wherein at least one region or a combinations of regions which correspond to amino-acid sequence regions 94-113 and 175-198 of wild-type Phl p 5a are missing compared with the wild-type allergen. 
     
     
         5 . A variant of wild-type allergen Phl p 5a, wherein at least one region or a combinations of regions selected from amino-acid sequence regions 94-113 and 175-198 of wild-type Phl p 5a are missing. 
     
     
         6 . The variant allergen of  claim 5  having an amino-acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 4, 6 and 8. 
     
     
         7 . The allergen variant of  claim 1 , which is obtained by recombinant genetic engineering methods. 
     
     
         8 . A DNA molecule encoding for an allergen variant of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A medicament comprising the allergen variant of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one allergen variant of  claim 1  and a further active ingredient and/or adjuvant. 
     
     
         15 . A method treating an allergy triggered by a group 5 allergen of Pooideae, comprising administering at least one allergen variant of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 14 , wherein the adjuvant is aluminum hydroxide, an immunostimulatory CpG-containing oligonucleotide or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . A method for the treatment of an allergy triggered by group 5 allergens of Pooideae species, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 14 .