T cell epitope immunotherapy induces a CD4+ T cell population with regulatory activity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Synthetic peptides, representing CD4(+) T cell epitopes, derived from the primary sequence of allergen molecules have been used to down-regulate allergic inflammation in sensitised individuals. Treatment of allergic diseases with peptides may offer substantial advantages over treatment with native allergen molecules because of the reduced potential for cross-linking IgE bound to the surface of mast cells and basophils.

Methods and findings

In this study we address the mechanism of action of peptide immunotherapy (PIT) in cat-allergic, asthmatic patients. Cell-division-tracking dyes, cell-mixing experiments, surface phenotyping, and cytokine measurements were used to investigate immunomodulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after therapy. Prolifera

SUBMITTER: Verhoef A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1069669 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature