Where are peptides taking us in T-cell biology?
T-cell epitopes are now well understood as amino-acid nonamers binding to major histocompatibility complex molecules. Powerful methods have been developed for their identification through screening of recombinant and synthetic peptides. Multiple epitopes from a single protein are valuable for detecting T-cell reactivity in disease, currently in human immunodeficiency virus infection, and in the future in autoimmune disease. Surprises are likely to be encountered while exploring the T-cell repertoire in this way, such as positive as well as negative selection of self-reactivity. T-epitopes are likely to find important applications in therapy, particularly in down-regulation of the immune response. Multiple mechanisms of down-regulation appear to operate, among which bystander suppression by TGF beta-producing T-cells from the gut is of great current interest.
Mitchison
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Robert Koch Institute, Deutsches Rheuma Forschungszentrum Berlin.
D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology
D000939:Epitopes; D008222:Lymphokines; D014612:Vaccines