Studies on the allergenicity of the amino-terminal epitope (Bet v I 23-38) from birch pollen allergen.

An N-terminal peptide of the major allergen of birch (Bet v I 23-38) was selected for studying the activity of this segment on the basis of optimal hydrophilicity as it was tentatively suggested to be a surface exposed epitope. In addition two control peptides in the region 1-38 were similarly used for comparative assignment of the allergenicity. Peptide analogues from the amino acid terminal region, amino acid residues No. 23-38 of Bet v I, were synthesized by semiautomatic solid-phase peptide synthesis. In vitro and in vivo biological activity studies were performed on these analogous peptides. The IgE-binding capacity of the synthetic peptide 23-38 was examined using the following tests: specific IgE inhibition, skin prick test, nasal provocation and Prausnitz-Küstner inhibition. The results of these investigations suggested that the region 23-38 from the birch and hazel major allergen encompassed a single haptenic epitope.