New minimum length requirement for a T cell epitope for experimental allergic neuritis.

The bovine P2 protein induces experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) in Lewis rats. Using synthetic peptides representing regions of the P2 protein sequence and P2-specific neuritogenic T cell lines, we have demonstrated that the minimum peptide length requirement for the T cell epitope for EAN is residues 61-70 of the P2 protein having the sequence EISFKLGQEF. Adding a threonine at the NH2 terminus of this peptide reproduces residues 60-70 of the P2 protein sequence and significantly enhances the neuritogenic capability of this peptide.