| First Author | Bauer L | Year | 1997 |
| Journal | Clin Exp Immunol | Volume | 107 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 536-41 |
| PubMed ID | 9067529 | Mgi Jnum | J:39411 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:86793 | Doi | 10.1046/j.1365-2249.1997.d01-953.x |
| Citation | Bauer L, et al. (1997) Modulation of the allergic immune response in BALB/c mice by subcutaneous injection of high doses of the dominant T cell epitope from the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1. Clin Exp Immunol 107(3):536-41 |
| abstractText | Several in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that application of high doses of dominant T cell epitopes can induce a state of antigen-specific non-responsiveness (anergy). In the present study, we developed a murine model of an allergic immune response to Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen. Mice were sensitized by injection of rBet v 1 and the allergic state was proven by the presence of allergen-specific IgE and positive immediate-type skin tests to Bet v 1. In epitope mapping experiments, an immunodominant T cell epitope of Bet v 1 in BALB/c mice was identified by the use of overlapping peptides. This peptide (BV 139) was subsequently employed for treatment. Two tolerization protocols were used: in one approach, the peptide was administered to naive mice before immunization (group BV139-S), in the second, already sensitized mice were treated (S-BV139). The results demonstrated that administering high doses of the dominant T cell epitope of Bet v 1 profoundly diminished T cell proliferation to the peptide in the BV139-S group, and to the peptide as well as to the whole protein in the S-BV139 group. Skin test reactivity to Bet v 1 was reduced in the BV139-S group. However, no differences in terms of specific antibody production between treated and untreated mice could be observed. This study provides evidence that administration of dominant T cell epitopes can down-regulate the allergen-specific T cell response. Proceeding on the assumption that the T lymphocyte response to allergens is crucial for the induction and maintenance of the allergic disease, a modulation of the immune response to allergens by treatment with T cell epitope peptides could represent a promising concept for immunotherapy in the future. |
