Molecular characterization of B-cell epitopes for the major fish allergen, parvalbumin, by shotgun proteomics, protein-based bioinformatics and IgE-reactive approaches

11 pages, 7 figures, 7 tables

Parvalbumins beta (β-PRVBs) are the main fish allergens. The only proven and effective treatment for this type of hypersensitivity is to consume a diet free of fish. We present the molecular characterization of B-cell epitopes by shotgun proteomics of different β-PRVBs combined with protein-based bioinformatics and IgE-reactive approaches. The final goal of this work is to identify potential peptide vaccine candidates for fish allergy. Purified β-PRVBs from the main fifteen different fish species that cause allergy were analyzed by shotgun proteomics. Identified β-PRVBs peptide sequences and ninety-eight β-PRVB protein sequences from UniProtKB were combined, aligned and analyzed to determine B-cell epitopes using the Kolaskar and Tongaonkar algorithm. The highest rated predicted B-cell peptide epitopes were evaluated by ELISA using the corresponding synthetic peptides and sera from healthy and fish allergic patients. A total of 35 peptides were identified as B-cell epitopes. The top B-cell peptide epitopes (LKLFLQV, ACAHLCK, FAVLVKQ and LFLQNFV) that may induce protective immune responses were selected as potential peptide vaccine candidates. The 3D model of these peptides were located in the surface of the protein. This study provides the global characterization of B-cell epitopes for all β-PRVBs sequences that will facilitate the design of new potential immunotherapies

This work was supported by grants from the EU Marie Curie actions (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF, ref. 332274), by the Ramón Areces Foundation (XVII National grant) and by the GAIN-Xunta de Galicia Project (IN607D 2017/01). MC is supported by the Ramón y Cajal Contract (MINECO)

Peer reviewed