METHODS OF ISOLATING CD1-PRESENTED ANTIGENS, VACCINES COMPRISING CD1-PRESENTED ANTIGENS, AND CELL LINES FOR USE IN SAID METHODS

摘要

The present invention is based on the observation that CD1 functions to present foreign and autoimmune antigens to a select subpopulation of T cells. Based on this observation, the present invention provides methods for detecting the presence of a CD1-presented antigen in a sample, methods for purifying CD1-presented antigens, vaccines containing CD1-presented antigens, methods of blocking CD1 antigen presentation, methods of identifying and/or isolating CD1 blocking agents, methods of inducing CD1 expression, and T cell lines for use in the methods disclosed herein. The CD1-presented antigens of the invention, unlike MHC-presented antigens, are non-polypeptide hydrophobic antigens. In particular, a CD1b-presented antigen isolated from bacterial species is a mycolic acid.