Induction of IL-10 cytokine and the suppression of T cell proliferation by specific peptides from red cell band 3 and in vivo effects of these peptides on autoimmune hemolytic anemia in NZB mice.

Purpose: The anion channel protein band 3 is the main target of the pathogenic red blood cells (RBC) autoantibodies in New Zealand black (NZB) mice. CD4 T cells from NZB mice with autoimmune hemolytic anemia respond to band 3. Previously, we have shown that IL-10 and peptides containing a dominant T cell epitope from red cell band 3 modulate autoimmune hemolytic anemia in NZB mice. Because of the immunoregulatory role of IL-10 in autoimmune diseases, we aim to identify individual band 3 peptides that induce high IL-10 production and simultaneously suppress CD4 T cell proliferation and to investigate the effect intranasal administration of IL-10 producing band 3 peptides on autoantibody responses of NZB mice.

Methods: Splenic CD4 T cells of NZB mice were isolated and stimulated by co-culture of T cells with individual band 3 peptides. IL-10 production was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and proliferative response of CD4 T cells was estimated by incorporation of [³H] thymidine assay. NZB mice were given either PBS, or peptides 25 (241-251) and 29 (282-296) or both peptides intranasally on three occasions at 2-day intervals. The mice were bled at 6, 10 and 18 weeks after peptide inhalation, and the number of RBC auto-antibodies was measured by DELAT and hematocrit values were assessed.

Results: Peptides 25 (241-251) and 29 (282-296) induced the highest IL-10 production by CD4 T cells. These peptides also inhibited the peak T cell proliferative response. 6 and 10 weeks after peptide inhalation, the total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a in mice treated with both peptides 241-251 and 282-296 were significantly higher than control (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in the mean hematocrit between of the peptide-treated mice and the control group was found.

Conclusions: Although band 3 peptides 241-251 and 282-296 induced to the highest IL-10 production by CD4 T cells in vitro but fail to reverse the RBC autoantibody response in vivo. Modifications to improve solubility these peptides might help to modulate the immune response toward a T helper-2 profile and decrease the severity of anemia.