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Immunology2013; 141(1); 52-60; doi: 10.1111/imm.12166

Differential CD4+ T-cell responses of allergic and non-allergic subjects to the immunodominant epitope region of the horse major allergen Equ c 1.

Abstract: The responses of allergen-specific CD4(+) T cells of allergic and healthy individuals are still incompletely understood. Our objective was to investigate the functional and phenotypic properties of CD4(+) T cells of horse-allergic and healthy subjects specific to the immunodominant epitope region of the major horse allergen Equ c 1. Specific T-cell lines (TCLs) and clones were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells with Equ c 1(143-160), the peptide containing the immunodominant epitope region of Equ c 1. The frequency, proliferative response, cytokine production and HLA restriction of the cells were examined. The frequency of Equ c 1-specific CD4(+) T cells was low (approximately 1 per 10(6) CD4(+) T cells) in both allergic and non-allergic subjects. The cells of allergic subjects had a stronger proliferative capacity than those of non-allergic subjects, and they predominantly emerged from the memory T-cell pool and expressed the T helper type 2 cytokine profile, whereas the cells of non-allergic subjects emerged from the naive T-cell pool and produced low levels of interferon-γ and interleukin-10. T-cell response to Equ c 1(143-160) was restricted by several common HLA class II molecules from both DQ and DR loci. As the phenotypic and functional properties of Equ c 1-specific CD4(+) T cells differ between allergic and non-allergic subjects, allergen-specific T cells appear to be tightly implicated in the development of diseased or healthy outcome. Restriction of the specific CD4(+) T-cell response by multiple HLA alleles suggests that Equ c 1(143-160) is a promising candidate for peptide-based immunotherapy.
Publication Date: 2013-09-03 PubMed ID: 23991693PubMed Central: PMC3893849DOI: 10.1111/imm.12166Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Clinical Trial
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research studied the responses of specific immune cells, known as CD4+ T cells, in people who are allergic to horses compared to those who aren’t. The study discovered that allergic individuals’ T cells reacted more strongly, suggesting a possible pathway for potential treatments for this type of allergy.

Research Objective and Methodology

  • This study aimed to closely investigate the functional and phenotypic characteristics of CD4+ T cells in individuals allergic to the major horse allergen, Equ c 1, in comparison to non-allergic individuals.
  • To achieve this, the researchers generated specific T-cell lines and clones from peripheral blood mononuclear cells with the peptide Equ c 1(143-160), which contains the allergen’s immunodominant epitope region.

Findings: Frequency, Proliferative Response, and Cytokine Production

  • The researchers observed that the frequency of Equ c 1-specific CD4+ T cells was low in both allergic and non-allergic subjects.
  • However, the cells from individuals with allergies had a stronger capacity for cell multiplication or proliferation than those from non-allergic subjects.
  • The cells from allergic subjects primarily originated from the memory T-cell pool, indicating previous exposure and immune response, and expressed a T-helper (Th2) cytokine profile. This shows a type of immune response typically associated with allergies and asthma.
  • In contrast, the cells from non-allergic subjects emerged from the naive or new T-cell pool and produced low levels of interferon-gamma and interleukin-10, which are important regulatory cytokines for immune responses.

Findings: HLA Restriction

  • The T-cell response to Equ c 1(143-160) was restricted by various common HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) class II molecules stemming from both DQ and DR gene loci. These HLA molecules are crucial to the immune system for distinguishing between self and non-self entities.

Implications and Conclusion

  • The study concluded that the Equ c 1-specific CD4(+) T cells from allergic and non-allergic individuals exhibited different phenotypic and functional properties which indicates that they play a significant role in the development of allergic reactions or the lack thereof.
  • The restriction of the specific T-cell response by multiple HLA alleles suggests that the peptide Equ c 1(143-160) might serve as a promising candidate for peptide-based immunotherapy, possibly suggesting a treatment pathway for this type of allergy.

Cite This Article

APA
Kailaanmäki A, Kinnunen T, Kwok WW, Rytkönen-Nissinen M, Randell J, Virtanen T. (2013). Differential CD4+ T-cell responses of allergic and non-allergic subjects to the immunodominant epitope region of the horse major allergen Equ c 1. Immunology, 141(1), 52-60. https://doi.org/10.1111/imm.12166

Publication

ISSN: 1365-2567
NlmUniqueID: 0374672
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 141
Issue: 1
Pages: 52-60

Researcher Affiliations

Kailaanmäki, Anssi
  • Department of Clinical Microbiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine and Biocentre Kuopio, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Kinnunen, Tuure
    Kwok, William W
      Rytkönen-Nissinen, Marja
        Randell, Jukka
          Virtanen, Tuomas

            MeSH Terms

            • Allergens / immunology
            • Animals
            • Cell Line
            • Cell Proliferation
            • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
            • Female
            • Glycoproteins / immunology
            • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
            • Horses
            • Humans
            • Hypersensitivity / immunology
            • Hypersensitivity / pathology
            • Interferon-gamma / immunology
            • Interleukin-10 / immunology
            • Lipocalins
            • Male
            • Th2 Cells / immunology
            • Th2 Cells / pathology

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 3 times.
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