The nature of the T cell response to minor histocompatibility antigens (miH) is poorly understood. These responses constitute an important part of the graft-vs-leukemia effect in bone marrow transplantation. A thorough understanding would help in the utilization of this effect in a more efficacious manner. A number of novel techniques, developed by the applicant, will enable the detailed study of the nature of miH. cDNA encoding miH, recognized by specific T cell clones, will be identified. The characteristics of the miH will be determined. This includes: a) The concordance, if any, between the previously functionally defined and actual chromosomal locations of miH loci. b) The identity of the donor miH protein and the definition and abundance of its naturally processed peptide products. c) The molecular basis of the antigenic polymorphism at the miH locus. d) Whether all or a subset of tissues express the miH peptide/MHC ligands. e) The immunodominance of individual miH as a function of their complexity and relative levels of expression. The data obtained should lead to new models and insights into the origin and role of immunodominant antigenic peptides in the context of complex cellular antigens.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI026604-12
Application #
6341583
Study Section
Allergy and Immunology Study Section (ALY)
Program Officer
Deckhut Augustine, Alison M
Project Start
1989-07-01
Project End
2002-12-31
Budget Start
2001-01-01
Budget End
2001-12-31
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$364,316
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Berkeley
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
094878337
City
Berkeley
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94704
Blanchard, Nicolas; Shastri, Nilabh (2008) Coping with loss of perfection in the MHC class I peptide repertoire. Curr Opin Immunol 20:82-8