title: Epitope mapping with peptides of Chi t I component III and immunomodulation of the Chi t immune response.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Berufsgenossen Schaftliches Forshungsinstitut für Arbeitsmedizin, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Liebers
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raulf
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazur
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Modrow
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Baur
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes; D006454:Hemoglobins; D010455:Peptides; D013936:Thymidine