Activation of human T helper 1 and DNAase expression in CD4+ T cells induced by short immunomodulating peptides.

Abstract

Activation of human T helper 1 cells took place when lymphomononuclear cells from healthy donors were incubated in the presence of short synthetic peptides encompassing sequences present in extracellular matrix proteins. Active peptides conformed to a common structural pattern ("2-6-11 motif") [N.López-Moratalla et al., Biochem. Biophys. Acta (1994) 1221, 153-158] conferring immunomodulating properties. The release of IL-2 and IFN gamma, as well as LAK and NK-dependent cytotoxicity induced by these peptides, could be blocked by anti-HLA-DR antibody. Activated CD4+ cells isolated from the mixed incubated population contained secretion granules with DNAase activity. These results suggest that these immunomodulating peptides presented by HLA-II play a key role in the differentiation of CD4+ T cells towards a Th1 functional phenotype.