Abstract
We developed new immunotherapies (peptide and DNA vaccines) for the treatments of Japanese cedar pollinosis. Oral administration of a dominant T cell epitope of a major Japanese cedar allergen (Cry j 2) induced immunologic tolerance in both Th1 and Th2 cell responses against the whole protein allergen. We found the potential for peptide-based oral immunotherapy in order to treat allergic immune response. Next, we evaluated the use of DNA immunazation by inoculating mice with plasmid DNA encoding Cry j 1 gene. This DNA vaccination suppressed IgE and IgG1 responses to subsequent alum- precipitated Cry j 1 injections. This study suggested that DNA vaccination effectively induced Cry j 1-specific Th1-type immune responses, resulting in inhibition of IgE responses to Cry j 1.
