title: Vaccination with DNA encoding human T-cell epitopes suppresses Der p induced allergic responses in mice.
abstract: The apparent complexity of allergen-specific T-cell response in terms of epitope usage in humans is a potential barrier to peptide-based immunotherapy for allergy. A knowledge of cross-reacting T-cell epitopes of common allergens might have an impact on the development of vaccines for immunotherapy. We examined the efficiency of vaccinating with plasmid DNA coding only human T-cell epitopes on the suppression of allergic reactions in mice. BALB/c mice that received an injection of mixed naked DNA plasmids encoding the five classes of human T-cell epitopes on Der p 1 and Der p 2 produced a significant reduction in total and Der p-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) synthesis. In Der p specific-IgG2a antibody responses, vaccinated mice showed more prominent responses than controls. Higher levels of interferon-gamma, a Th1 cytokine associated with the suppression of IgE production, were found in the sera of vaccinated mice. Histologic studies showed a marked reduction in the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung tissues of vaccinated mice vs. controls. These results suggest that vaccination with DNA encoding human T-cell epitopes effectively inhibits allergic responses in mice and might induce cross-regulation on helper T-cell level in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Medical College, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soon Seog
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Nack Sung
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tai June
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology*; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010957:Plasmids; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; C451163:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 2; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; C451162:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen p 1