Suboptimal recognition of a T cell epitope of the major dog allergen Can f 1 by human T cells.

We have previously proposed that mammalian lipocalin allergens are recognized suboptimally by the human immune system due to their homology with endogenous lipocalins. Here, we have characterized in detail the human T cell recognition of one of the previously identified T cell epitopes of the major dog allergen Can f 1, contained in peptide p105-120. A panel of peptide analogues (altered peptide ligands, APLs) of p105-120 was tested on two specific T cell clones restricted by different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles.