HYBRID PEPTIDES MODULATE THE IMMUNE RESPONSE

摘要

The present invention provides an MHC Class II antigen presentation enhancin g hybrid polypeptide. The hybrid has an N-terminus comprising the mammalian Ii key peptide LMRKLPKPPKPVSKMR (SEQ ID NO:1) and modifications thereof which retain antigen enhancing activity, a C-terminus comprising an antigenic epitope in the form of a polypeptide or peptidomimetic structure which binds to the antigenic peptide bending site of an MHC Class II molecule, and an intervening chemical structure covalently linking the N-terminal and C- terminal components. Methods for identifying a molecule which functions with in the context of an MHC class II antigen presentation enhancing hybrid in an equivalent fashion as the Ii key peptide are also described. The present invention also provides a metod for enhancing presentation of an MHC Class I I restricted antigenic epitope to a T cell. Both in vivo and ex vivo methods a re provided. A method for identifying a compound which inhibits MHC Class II antigen presentation is also provided.