A common structural motif in immunopotentiating peptides with sequences present in human autoantigens. Elicitation of a response mediated by monocytes and Th1 cells.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

A common structural motif in immunopotentiating peptides with sequences present in human autoantigens. Elicitation of a response mediated by monocytes and Th1 cells.

Biochim Biophys Acta. 1996 Dec 16;1317(3):183-91. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/97141984
Lopez-Moratalla N; Ruiz E; Lopez-Zabalza MJ; Santiago E; Department of Biochemistry, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.

Abstract: We have found a common structural motif in human autoantigens, heat shock proteins and viral proteins. Peptides modelled after sequences present in those molecules were synthesized and immunomodulating properties tested. They share a core of 15 amino acid residues and a common pattern ('2-6-11' motif) characterized by requirements at fixed positions with respect to a Pro position 6); an apolar residue or a Lys at position 2; and a Glu, Asp or Lys at position 11. Any of these peptides, when added to cultures of lymphomononuclear cells, caused the activation of monocytes manifested by a release of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and TNF alpha. A release of INF gamma and IL-2 took also place; this release was abolished by anti-DR antibodies. Neither IL-4 nor IL-5 could be detected. This suggests a presentation by APCs and the appearance of cells with a Th1 phenotype. Monocytes and Th1 cells freshly obtained from 12 patients of Graves' disease, 8 of Hashimoto's disease and 8 of primary biliary cirrhosis exhibited activation features similar to those found in cells from healthy subjects incubated in the presence of peptides with a "2-6-11' motif and representing fragments of autoantigens. Their immunopotentiating properties suggest their involvement in the initiation or progression of the autoimmune response mediated by activated monocytes and Th1 cells.

Keywords: *Autoantigens/CHEMISTRY *Autoimmune Diseases/IMMUNOLOGY *Monocytes/IMMUNOLOGY *Th1 Cells/IMMUNOLOGY
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