Method for enhancing the association of exogenous peptides with class I MHC molecules on the surface of antigen presenting cells with beta -microglobulin

摘要

The present invention provides a method for enhancing the association of exogenous peptides with class I MHC molecules on the surface of antigen presenting cells to thereby sensitize the target cells for class I MHC-restricted cytotoxic T cell response. The method involves obtaining the peptides of interest and presenting the peptides to the appropriate antigen presenting cells in the presence of an elevated level of free beta 2-microglobulin. The method of the present invention can also be used to prime naive populations of T lymphocytes for antigen-specific class I MHC-restricted cytotoxic T cell response with exogenous peptide and is useful in both in vitro and in vivo applications. A new use for purified beta 2-microglobulin as an adjuvant for synthetic peptide vaccines is also provided.