Autoreactive CD4(+) T cells recognizing islet-derived antigens play a primary role in type 1 diabetes. Specific suppression of such cells therefore represents a strategic target for the cure of the disease. We have developed a methodology by which CD4(+) T cells acquire apoptosis-inducing properties on antigen-presenting cells after cognate recognition of natural sequence epitopes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe main obstacle to viral vector-mediated gene therapy remains the elicitation of an immune response to the vector, resulting in clearance of transgene and resistance to further transgenesis. Specific antibody production contributes to such immune responses. A single class II-restricted epitope of adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vector hexon-6 capsid protein containing a thiol-oxidoreductase motif was used in an attempt to prevent specific antibody production in response to Ad5 vectors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSeveral lines of evidence indicate that the immune response to Factor VIII (FVIII) in patients with hemophilia A is T cell-dependent. This review highlights the link between the epitope specificity of FVIII-specific T cells and their potential roles in different categories of patients. FVIII-specific T cells able to recognize wild-type (i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAbrogating an unwanted immune response toward a specific antigen without compromising the entire immune system is a hoped-for goal in immunotherapy. Instead of manipulating dendritic cells and suppressive regulatory T cells, depleting effector T cells or blocking their co-stimulatory pathways, we describe a method to specifically inhibit the presentation of an antigen eliciting an unwanted immune reaction. Inclusion of an oxidoreductase motif within the flanking residues of MHC class II epitopes polarizes CD4(+) T cells to cytolytic cells capable of inducing apoptosis in antigen presenting cells (APCs) displaying cognate peptides through MHC class II molecules.
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