Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that MHC heavy chain monomers immobilized to a solid surface are still capable of forming detectable conformational epitopes and being detected by conformation-dependent antibodies. Methods for detecting peptide binding to HLA monomers, and methods for measuring the relative degree of binding between two MHC-binding peptides as well as a method of measurement for the rate of dissociation of peptides from MHC complexes are provided. The present invention also provides systems and kits useful for conducting the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that MHC heavy chain monomers immobilized to a solid surface are still capable of forming detectable conformational epitopes and being detected by conformation-dependent antibodies. Methods for detecting peptide binding to HLA monomers, and methods for measuring the relative degree of binding between two MHC-binding peptides as well as a method of measurement for the rate of dissociation of peptides from MHC complexes are provided. The present invention also provides systems and kits useful for conducting the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that MHC heavy chain monomers immobilized to a solid surface are still capable of forming detectable conformational epitopes and being detected by conformation-dependent antibodies. Methods for detecting peptide binding to HLA monomers, and methods for measuring the relative degree of binding between two MHC-binding peptides as well as a method of measurement for the rate of dissociation of peptides from MHC complexes are provided. The present invention also provides systems and kits useful for conducting the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for detecting or quantifying eosinophils and basophils, which consists in contacting a sample possibly containing said eosinophils or basophils with an IL-5 anti-receptor (alpha-chain) monoclonal antibody which does not interfere with IL-5 fixation to its receptor and does not inhibit the IL-5 biological activity to detect and, if required to quantify eosinophils and basphils. The invention also concerns a kit for detecting or quantifying eosinophils or basophils and an anti-IL5R antibody.

Abstract: Solution-based methods for identifying an MHC-binding peptide or measuring affinity of MHC-binding peptides for an MHC monomer, or modified MHC monomer by incubating at least one MHC monomer or modified MHC monomer having a bound template MHC-binding peptide, an excess amount of a competitor peptide, and a tracer MHC-binding peptide tagged with a detectable label so as to allow competition binding between the three peptides At least a portion of the competitor peptide exchanges with the template peptide and a difference in signal produced by the detectable label in the total sample as compared with signal produced solely by monomers after the competition assay is obtained and used to calculate affinity of the competitor peptide for the monomer. These methods are useful in peptide discovery programs and exchanged monomers can be further tested for activity in tetramer cell staining assays.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that MHC class I and class II monomers immobilized to a solid surface are still capable of forming complexes with suitable MHC-binding peptides. Methods for detecting peptide binding to HLA monomers, and methods for measuring the relative degree of binding between two MHC-binding peptides as well as a method of measuring the rate of dissociation of peptides from MHC complexes are provided. The present invention also provides systems and kits useful for conducting the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that MHC heavy chain monomers immobilized to a solid surface are still capable of forming detectable conformational epitopes and being detected by conformation-dependent antibodies. Methods for detecting peptide binding to HLA monomers, and methods for measuring the relative degree of binding between two MHC-binding peptides as well as a method of measurement for the rate of dissociation of peptides from MHC complexes are provided. The present invention also provides systems and kits useful for conducting the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Immunoassays useful for detecting free &bgr;2-microglobulin in a sample containing &bgr;2-microglobulin/&bgr;2-microglobulin associated protein complexes are provided. Also provided are a sandwich immunoassay and a competition immunoassay for detecting free &bgr;2-microglobulin in a sample containing MHC monomers or MHC tetramers. Kits for performing such immunoassays also are provided.

Abstract: A therapeutic kit which includes at least three unlinked monoclonal antibodies for neutralizing a short life IL-6 cytokine and a method for preparing said kit.