A novel and simple procedure for determining T cell epitopes in protein antigens

J Immunol Methods. 1989 Aug 15;122(1):67-72. doi: 10.1016/0022-1759(89)90335-9.

Abstract

A human T cell epitope was mapped on tetanus toxin by the use of a simple method. Tetanus toxin peptide preparations were produced by various specific chemical and proteolytic cleavages. T cell proliferative response to these peptide preparations was assayed to determine which amino acid residues were present or absent in the T cell epitope. Cyanogen bromide-derived tetanus toxin peptides were separated by electrophoresis and transferred onto nitrocellulose. T cell proliferative response to nitrocellulose fragments was assayed to determine the molecular weight of the antigenic tetanus toxin peptide. The combination of the two procedures allowed us to define a 21-mer tetanus toxin peptide recognized by the T cell clone. This method represents an easily performed alternative for the mapping of T cell epitopes on protein antigen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Epitopes*
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • Tetanus Toxin / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Tetanus Toxin