Identification of Linear IgE Epitopes for a Major Allergen–Type I Collagen in Fish (Rainbow Trout)

Abstract

Type I collagen was described as a major allergen in fish. The purpose of this study was to screen and identify the linear IgE epitopes of type I collagen α1 and α2 subunits in rainbow trout. Five bioinformatics tools were used to predict the potential epitopes and the resultant epitopes were confirmed by LAD2 cells degranulation assay with sera from fish allergic patients. As the result, 10 peptides of α1 and α2 subunits were predicted, respectively, and these peptides were assembled by solid-phase synthesis. 14 epitopes were identified by LAD2 cells degranulation assay, among which, peptide 2, 5–7 were identified as linear epitope of α1 and peptide 11–20 were identified as linear epitope of α2. Moreover, for α1 and α2 subunits, the similarity of sequences was greater than 79%, suggesting the cross-reactivity of fish collagen. The findings of this study provided a strong support for further research of reduction of the collagen allergenicity.