ABSTRACT
Objective To predict and identify T cell epitopes of major group 3 allergen derived from Dermatophagoides fari-na(Der f 3). Methods The T cell epitopes of Der f 3 were analyzed through the sequence analysis by using the bioinformatics online tools. The five predicted peptides of T-cell epitopes were artificially synthesized. The spleen lymphocytes were co-cultured with the five T cell epitopes by using the modified MTT method and the levels of IL-2,IFN-γ,IL-4 and IL-5 in the supernatant of the cultures were detected by ELISA. Results Five T cell epitopes of Der f 3 were predicted and three of which could pro-mote the proliferation of the mouse spleen lymphocytes. The secretions of IL-2 and IFN-γwere significantly induced and the se-cretions of IL-4 and IL-5 were significantly decreased by three of five prediction epitopes of Der f 3:37GDCPYQISLQSSSHFC-GG54,98IYQHENYDSMTIDNDVALIKLKTPMT123 and 164SELQRVDIDVVSREQCDQLYS184. Conclusion Three T cell epitopes of Der f 3 have been initially identified,which lays the foundation of the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.