IN VITRO MEASUREMENT OF BINDING OF SELF AND ANTIGENIC PEPTIDES TO MHC MOLECULES

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The objective of this work has been to understand the details of the interaction of self and foreign antigenic peptides with the MHC class I molecule by detailed kinetic and equilibrium binding methods. In addition to allowing us to understand the underlying biochemical rules that govern protein/peptide interactions, these studies provide specific information on particular MHC/peptide interactions which govern the initiation of the immune response. In the past year we have further improved upon quantitative assays, examined a number of protein/peptide interactions, including antibody/peptide interactions. Understanding these processes on a biochemical and biophysical level provides a basis not only for understanding the binding reactions, but also offers an opportunity for rational design of peptide analogs that might be useful in immunization and intervention in autoimmune disease.