Immune Response of Mice Transgenic for Human Histocompatibility Leukocyte Antigen-DR to Human Thyrotropin Receptor-Extracellular Domain

Abstract

T-cell and B-cell responses to genetic immunization differ in DR3 and DR2 transgenic mice, and there is less genetic control of antibody than of T-cell responses. During both genomic and peptide epitope immunization there was evidence of epitope spreading during the immunization. Several functionally important epitopes are evident, especially aa78-94. However, if similar progressive epitope recruitment occurs in human disease, epitope-based therapy will be difficult to achieve.