Characterization of a helper T cell epitope recognized by mice of a low responder major histocompatibility type

Most known helper T cell (Th) epitopes studied have naturally been immunodominant epitopes recognized by T cells from animals of high responder major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype. We have previously found that most such immunodominant Th epitopes tend to be amphipathic alpha helices, that is, helices with hydrophobic residues on one side and hydrophilic residues on the other, and the corresponding peptide can usually elicit a response to the native protein. However, very few epitopes seen by MHC low responder T cells have been identified. Within the CNBr fragment of residues 1–55 of sperm whale myoglobin (SwMb), a Th epitope is known to exist that stimulates T cells from low responder H-2 k mice, but it has not yet been localized to a length of 8–12 residues, the usual length of a Th epitope. To determine whether this low responder epitope would have similar properties, we located it using 10 evenly overlapping 15-residue peptides that span the region. Analysis of this region by the computer program predicted the site covered by two peptides (residues 26–40 and 31–45 which overlap by 10 residues) to be the most likely site for a Th epitope. Of the 10 peptides tested experimentally, only one peptide (residues 26–40) was able to stimulate two low responder Th clones that are specific for the 1–55 region. The peptide was able to prime T cells of low responder B10.BR mice in vivo for in vitro response to the native SwMb as well as to the peptide fragment of residues 1–55. Immunization of low responder mice with SwMb showed that, of the 10 overlapping peptides, the major site of response within the 1–55 region is to the identified peptide. Finally, an extended peptide of residues 24–42 was made to increase the amphipathic score. This extended peptide induced greater proliferation of the clones. Thus, this low responder epitope has properties similar to those of immunodominant epitopes recognized by high responders.