Epitope mapping with peptides of Chi t I component III and immunomodulation of the Chi t immune response.
BACKGROUND
Hemoglobins of the Diptera family are known as aggressive inhalant allergens.


METHODS
The whole sequence of the insect allergen Chi t I component III was studied for T-cell epitope activity in cell cultures of 15 sensitized patients with a panel of 17 overlapping synthetic peptides and 12 peptides obtained by tryptic cleavage.


RESULTS
All but one of the peptides tested were found to be immunogenic. The nonstimulatory sequence 102-109 and two other tryptic peptides (69-90 and 110-135) were used in inhibition experiments. The Chi t I-induced proliferation was downregulated by all tested peptides when compared with stimulation with Chi t I alone.


CONCLUSIONS
Because stimulation with phytohemagglutinin or tetanus toxoid was not influenced by the above-mentioned peptides, this mechanism seems to be specific for the antigen. Specific immunomodulation with nonstimulating peptides may offer new therapy approaches.
Liebers
V
V
Berufsgenossen Schaftliches Forshungsinstitut für Arbeitsmedizin, Bochum, Germany.
Raulf
M
M
Mazur
G
G
Modrow
S
S
Baur
X
X
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D004175:Diptera / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000939:Epitopes; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012016:Reference Values; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes; D006454:Hemoglobins; D010455:Peptides; D013936:Thymidine