ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the inhibitory effect of altered HA308-317 peptides on HLA-DR4 restricted CII specific T cell response.Methods:Three altered HA308-317 peptides and CII263-272 were synthesized using solid-phase techniques. The binding of altered HA308-317 peptides for HLA-DR4 molecules was assayed using flow cytometry. The suppressive effect of altered HA308-317 peptides on CII-mediated T cell proliferation was determined using 3H incorporation assay. The level of IL-2 in the supernatants was identified by ELISA. The expression of CD25 and CD69 on T cell surface were studied using flow cytometry.Results:The altered HA308-317 peptides were able to bind to HLA-DR4 molecules and competed with CII263-272. Altered HA308-317 peptides inhibited T cell proliferation and IL-2 production induced by CII263-272( P