A T cell epitope for experimental allergic neuritis is an amphipathic alpha-helical structure.
The bovine P2 protein is known to produce experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) in Lewis rats. The longest region of amphipathic alpha-helix within the bovine P2 protein was identified as residues 61-72. A synthetic peptide representing this sequence was synthesized and shown to have the ability to (1) produce EAN in Lewis rats by direct sensitization, (2) produce a lymphoproliferative response in a P2-specific T cell line, and (3) stimulate a P2 protein-specific T cell line sufficiently to transfer EAN to naive recipient Lewis rats. Residues 61-72 is the shortest sequence thus far identified that will produce EAN in the Lewis rat and supports the contention that T cell determinants tend to be amphipathic alpha-helices.
Olee
T
T
Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
Weise
M
M
Powers
J
J
Brostoff
S
S
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D000939:Epitopes; D007114:Immunization; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009444:Neuritis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation
D000939:Epitopes