Modulation of the immune response to ragweed allergens by peptic fragments.
Fragments of short ragweed extract were prepared by peptic digestion and fractionated by molecular exclusion chromatography. We focused on fragmenting a ragweed fraction that was enriched for Amb aI. Digestion products in the molecular weight range of 5-15 kD (fSRW) were examined for their antigenic, immunogenic and immunosuppressive properties. fSRW was poorly immunogenic and unable to induce ragweed-specific PCA reactions in rat skin or to bind to anti-ragweed IgG antibodies. Intravenous administration of fSRW either prior to or after intraperitoneal immunization with a ragweed preparation resulted in a significant suppression of the immune response. T cells isolated from lymph nodes of mice immunized with ragweed were stimulated by fSRW in a lymphoproliferation assay. Moreover, T cells from mice injected with fSRW were immunosuppressive when transferred into mice immunized with intact ragweed antigens. Our data demonstrate that peptic fragments (fSRW) of ragweed lack B-cell determinants while retaining their T-cell immunoregulatory properties. Potentially these peptides are less likely to cause adverse reactions in allergen sensitive patients and thus offer a new approach to allergen immunotherapy.
Michael
J G
JG
Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Ohio 45267-0524.
Litwin
A
A
Hassert
V
V
Pesce
A
A
D000818:Animals; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D007073:Immunoglobulin E