Inhibition of mucosal and systemic T(h)2-type immune responses by intranasal peptides containing a dominant T cell epitope of the allergen Der p 1.

Although the intranasal administration of peptides containing T cell epitopes has been shown to be a potent method of inhibiting responses to the allergen Der p 1, the experiments to date have concentrated on their ability to regulate immune responses to the injection of antigen in a T(h)1-type adjuvant. Their ability to regulate responses to a T(h)2-type immunization and to sensitization via the respiratory mucosa has not been examined. Here it is shown that peptide used in doses required to block delayed-type hypersensitivity can also readily inhibit IgE responses to Der p 1 injected in alum. To examine responses induced in the respiratory mucosa, mice pretreated with intranasal peptide were sensitized with an intranasal dose of Der p 1 in conjunction with a mutated enterotoxin adjuvant. Intranasal peptide even in very high doses did not reduce IgE titers, but the ability of cells from the draining lymph nodes to release IL-4 and IL-13 but not IL-2, IL-5, IL-10 or IFN-gamma was reduced. These are the first reports on the effect of intranasal peptides containing T cell epitopes on IgE in T(h)2 immunization and on responses to respiratory immunization. Thus the effect of the peptide-induced mucosal tolerance differs depending on the type of immunization used for sensitization, but the potential to inhibit T(h)2 responses and responses to respiratory sensitization as well as T(h)1 responses has been demonstrated.