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Brief Definitive Reports |
We analyzed the immune responses evoked by a series of overlapping peptides to better understand the molecular basis for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) G protein–induced eosinophilia in BALB/c mice. In vitro stimulation of spleen cells from natural G protein–primed mice showed dominant proliferative and cytokine (interferon [IFN]-
and interleukin [IL]-5) responses to a peptide encompassing amino acids 184–198. Mice vaccinated with peptide 184– 198 conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin showed significant pulmonary eosinophilia (39.5%) after challenge with live RSV. In contrast, mice immunized with a peptide (208–222) conjugate associated with induction of IFN-
secreting spleen cells did not exhibit pulmonary eosinophilia after challenge. The in vivo depletion of CD4+ cells abrogated pulmonary eosinophilia in mice vaccinated with the peptide 184–198 conjugate, whereas the depletion of CD8+ cells had a negligible effect. Therefore, we have identified an association between peptide 184– 198 of natural G protein and the CD4+ T cell–mediated induction of pulmonary eosinophilia after live RSV challenge. Out of 43 human donors, 6 provided peripheral blood mononuclear cells that showed reactivity to G protein from RSV A2, 3 of which responded to peptide 184– 198. The results have important implications for the development of a vaccine against RSV.
Key Words: respiratory syncytial virus G protein eosinophilia T helper cell peptide
The authors wish to acknowledge the excellent efforts of Jason Smith in the purification of natural G protein. We also thank Kristen Heers, Natisha LaPierre, Christine Reilly, and Catherine Unczur for technical assistance, and Drs. J.H. Eldridge and P.R. Paradiso for constructive review of the manuscript.
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