T cell epitope peptide therapy for allergic diseases

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleResearchpeer-review

59 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Careful selection of dominant T cell epitope peptides of major allergens that display degeneracy for binding to a wide array of MHC class II molecules allows induction of clinical and immunological tolerance to allergen in a refined treatment strategy. From the original concept of peptide-induced T cell anergy arising from in vitro studies, proof-of-concept murine models and flourishing human trials followed. Current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of mixtures of T cell-reactive short allergen peptides or long contiguous overlapping peptides are encouraging with intradermal administration into non-inflamed skin a preferred delivery. Definitive immunological mechanisms are yet to be resolved but specific anergy, Th2 cell deletion, immune deviation, and Treg induction seem implicated. Significant efficacy, particularly with short treatment courses, in a range of aeroallergen therapies (cat, house dust mite, grass pollen) with inconsequential non-systemic adverse events likely heralds a new class of therapeutic for allergy, Synthetic Peptide Immuno-Regulatory Epitopes (SPIRE).

Original languageEnglish
Article number14
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalCurrent Allergy and Asthma Reports
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2016

Keywords

  • Allergy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Peptide
  • SPIRE
  • Synthetic peptide immuno-regulatory epitopes
  • T cell epitope

Cite this