LJI Epitope Validation Center: Characterization of epitope-specific T cells responding to food, fungal and inner city allergens

中心计划摘要/摘要 我们的建议将使用表位来比较评估三种不同原型的免疫反应 过敏性疾病。我们将研究蟑螂(CR)和老鼠(MO)吸入性过敏原，它们与 随着市中心儿童哮喘的发展(项目1)；牛奶(CM)是最普遍的 公认的儿科食物过敏原(项目2)；曲霉菌(ASP)和交链孢霉(ALT)真菌过敏原， 它们与严重形式的哮喘有关(项目3)。广泛的科学重叠将提供 项目之间协同增效的机会。我们的研究广泛地利用了由 NIAID，以进一步扩大调查的协同作用和影响。应对措施的演变将是 在自然暴露、作为工作职责一部分的暴露和过敏原之后的时间函数检查 免疫疗法(AIT)。我们还将研究和比较接触过病毒但仍保持健康的个人，以 有轻度过敏和严重哮喘的人。我们的假设是，这些不同的群体 可以根据他们的T细胞反应来区分。具体地说，不同的群体可能会认识到 不同的蛋白质过敏原或片段(表位)。也有可能蛋白质和遗传程序 在不同类型和严重程度的过敏性疾病中看到的T细胞(T细胞表型)的特征将是 独一无二。我们的附加假设是T细胞表型的进化可以让我们深入了解 过敏性和哮喘的发病机制。如果是这样的话，它将具有潜在的诊断能力 价值，并可能提出新的治疗干预措施。

CENTER PROGRAM SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Our proposal will use epitopes to comparatively evaluate immune responses in three different prototypic allergic diseases. We will study cockroach (CR) and mouse (MO) inhalation allergens, which are associated with the development of asthma in inner city children (Project 1); cow’s milk (CM), the most prevalently recognized pediatric food allergen (Project 2); and Aspergillus (ASP) and Alternaria (ALT) fungal allergens, which are associated with severe forms of asthma (Project 3). The extensive scientific overlap will offer opportunities for synergies between projects. Our study extensively utilizes cohorts independently funded by NIAID, to further multiply synergies and impact of the investigations. The evolution of responses will be examined as a function of time following natural exposure, exposure as part of work-duties and allergen immunotherapy (AIT). We will also study and compare individuals that are exposed but remain healthy, to people that have mild allergies and those that have severe asthma. Our hypothesis is that these distinct groups can be distinguished on the basis of their T cell response. Specifically, different groups might recognize different protein allergens or fragments (epitopes). It is also possible that the protein and genetic programs characteristic of T cells (T cell phenotypes) seen in allergic diseases of different types and severity will be unique. Our additional hypotheses are that evolution of T cell phenotypes can give us insights into the mechanism of allergic and asthmatic disease. If this were to be the case, it would have potential diagnostic value, and possibly suggest new therapeutic interventions.