SCREENING FOR INHIBITORS OF TCR-MHC INTERACTIONS

摘要

This invention relates to the interactions between T-cell receptors and their specific MHC-peptide ligand. A screening method is provided to identify substances which inhibit the specific interaction between a T-cell receptor (TCR) and an MHC-peptide ligand involving incubating responder cells expressing a TCR with (i) an MHC-peptide ligand which stimulates said responder cells; and (ii) a candidate inhibitory substance; and monitoring a signal produced by said responder cells when the TCR engages the MHC-peptide ligand; and comparing said signal produced by said responder cells on the engagement of TCR with the MHC-peptide ligand with a control signal produced by said responder cells when incubated with (i) but not (ii); wherein a reduction in signal associated with the presence of (ii) in the incubation represents the efficacy of the inhibitor.