Allergen Epitope Research and Validation Cnters (U19)

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The purpose of this FOA is to capitalize on the availability of well characterized T cell allergen epitopes to study allergen-specific immune responses.. As part of the characterization and validation of these allergen T cell epitopes, there is a need to conduct mechanistic studies that focus on the progression and/or changes in the severity of seasonal or perennial allergic diseases (e.g. seasonal allergic rhinitis, asthma exacerbations triggered by pet dander), as well as the changes resulting from therapeutic intervention in allergic disease, such as immunotherapy for seasonal, perennial, or food allergies. Programs should focus on mechanistic assessment of T cell allergen epitopes to illuminate the T cell phenotypes, their function and contribution to allergen-specific T-cell memory. Limited novel T cell allergen epitope identification will also be supported under this FOA, but only as a companion to, and extension of, mechanistic studies of T cell responses to existing allergen epitopes.

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