CD4(+) T cells induced by virus-like particles expressing a major T cell epitope down-regulate IL-5 production in an ongoing immune response to Der p 1 independently of IFN-gamma production

Int Immunol. 1999 Dec;11(12):1927-34. doi: 10.1093/intimm/11.12.1927.

Abstract

It has been previously demonstrated that hybrid Ty virus-like particles (VLP) prime effective CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cell responses. In this study, we investigated the effect of treating mice with Ty VLP carrying the immunodominant epitope of Der p 1 after sensitizing them to the group 1 allergen of the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1), under conditions that induce T(h)2 immunity. We show that i.p. treatment with the hybrid VLP abrogated allergen-specific IL-5 production and reduced allergen-specific cell proliferation. This suppression of the response was mediated by CD4(+) T cells and was not accompanied by an increase in IFN-gamma production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Down-Regulation
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte*
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Immunodominant Epitopes / immunology*
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-5 / biosynthesis*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mites / immunology
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Glycoproteins
  • Immunodominant Epitopes
  • Interleukin-5
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Interferon-gamma