The reactivity of naturally sensitized human CD4 cells and IgG antibodies to synthetic peptides derived from the amino terminal sequences of a 3800 MW Streptococcus mutans antigen.

Natural immunity to synthetic peptides (SP) derived from the sequences of a 3800 MW streptococcal antigen (SA) was found in human subjects. Significant serum IgG antibodies were detected both to the native SA and to peptides consisting of residues 3-13, 1-15 and 1-20. Inhibition studies confirmed cross-reactivity between the native SA and SP. A series of short peptides with deletions at the amino and carboxy termini were then tested to determine the sequence of B-cell epitopes. Residues 8-13 and 1-6 bound significant serum IgG antibodies, but residues 8-13 were more effective and consistent in inhibiting human antibodies than residues 1-6. These results suggest that residues 8-13 constitute a major B-cell epitope but that residues 1-6 may represent a minor B-cell epitope. The human CD4 subset of T cells was then examined by stimulating the cells with SA or SP and measuring the uptake of [3H]thymidine [( 3H]TdR). The cells were found to be sensitized in vivo to both the native SA and the SP and cross-reactivity between the SA and SP was shown by enrichment and depletion experiments on antigen-coated monocytes. As with the B-cell epitope, the series of short peptides was used to stimulate CD4 cells, in order to determine the T-cell epitope. Residues 6-15 were the shortest SP which stimulated significant [3H]TdR uptake and this peptide was designated as a T-cell epitope. The results suggest that natural oral immunization with Streptococcus mutans induces serum antibodies and T-cell sensitization to a peptide in which a T-cell epitope (residues 6-15) overlaps with a B-cell epitope (residues 8-13). Furthermore, a comparison between linear and cycled peptides suggests that unlike immunogenicity which is commonly enhanced by the more rigid cyclized peptides, antigenicity is favoured by linear peptides. This was evident not only for antibodies but also for T-cell proliferative responses.