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

BackgroundSynthetic 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.ConclusionThis study provides evidence for the induction of a population of CD4⁺ T cells with suppressor/regulatory activity following PIT. Furthermore, up-regulation of cell surface levels of CD5 may contribute to reduced reactivity to allergen.