A METHOD TO SCREEN T-LYMPHOCYTE EPITOPES AFTER ORAL IMMUNIZATION OF HUMANS - APPLICATION TO CHOLERA-TOXIN B-SUBUNIT

The response to oral immunisation of humans with classical biotype cho lera toxin B subunit was studied to identify immunodominant T lymphocy te determinants. The in vitro proliferative response to pools of 12-me r peptides and larger peptides used individually was analysed by a nov el statistical approach, and identified an immunodominant region in re sidues 70-79 in immunised subjects, when either pools or individual pe ptides were employed In contrast, a patient infected with El Tor bioty pe had a dominant response to residues 40-60. The statistical software employed in this study may enable efficient screening of antigens for immunodominant T lymphocyte determinants when blood precursor frequen cies are low following immunisation, and may therefore be of special r elevance to mucosal vaccines.