摘要 |
The present invention relates to a method for eliciting the production in healthy mammals, including humans, of high titer antibodies to an effector site in human IgE heavy chain, i.e. a site in the CH4 domain of the -chain, by the use of compositions of synthetic peptide immunogens in either a radially branching multimeric form (such as branching octameric or hexadecameric peptides) or a linearly arranged monomeric form, to inhibit mast cell activation and reduce allergen-induced IgE production. It also relates to the use of such "optimally" designer, carrier protein free, IgE -chain related immunogens as key components in a synthetic vaccine to provide an immunotherapy for the treatment of allergy. The subject peptides contain immune stimulator sequences, including a built-in helper T cell epitope tandemly linked in a specific orientation, to aid in stimulating the immune response towards the IgE CH4 domain.
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