Mapping the specific T-cell epitope responsible for the response to the ASP-2 protein.

<p>BALB/c mice were immunized with two doses of the hybrid mAbs or the rec. ASP2 protein as described in materials and methods. Fifteen days after the administration of the second dose, mice were euthanized and their splenocytes were plated in the presence or absence of the peptides FESRDMGKTWTEAIGTLSGV or WVMSQPGVRLYKIFRVGALIT. (A) The number of IFN-γ producing cells was detected by ELISPOT and the bars represent the mean ± SD of pooled animals performed in triplicates. Numbers of IFN-γ producing cells in the absence of any stimulus were subtracted from the stimulated samples. (B) The percentage of CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells that proliferated after 5 days of re-stimulation with each peptide is shown. Bars represent the mean ± SD of pooled animals performed in duplicates. Percentages of proliferating cells in the absence of any stimulus were subtracted from the stimulated samples. Experiments were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by the post-test HSD Tukey. * refers to p<0.05. The graphs are representative of 2 experiments.