Cry-Consensus Peptide, a Novel Peptide for Immunotherapy of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis, Induces Th1-Predominant Response in Cry j 1-Sensitized B10.S Mice

Cry-consensus peptide (CCP) is a newly designed peptide for peptide-based immunotherapy of Japanese cedar pollinosis but its mechanism of efficacy is unknown. We investigated the effect of CCP on Cry j 1-specific Th1/Th2 response in a mice model. Subcutaneous injection of CCP decreased Cry j 1-specific IgE and IgG1 in blood slightly, but the IgG2a level was increased significantly in a dose dependent manner. Splenocytes from these mice were stimulated with Cry j 1 in vitro. This inhibited IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 secretion significantly, but IFN-γ secretion was increased. In vitro CCP stimulation of splenocytes from Cry j 1-sensitized mice induced more marked Th1-predominancy of cytokine production than native allergen stimulation. Taken together, these data suggest that one of the mechanisms of CCP is dependent on the modulation of the antigen-specific Th1/Th2 response.