Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a methodology for the isolation, purification and identification of peptide ligands presented by MHC positive cells. In particular, the methodology of the present invention relates to the isolation, purification and identification of these peptide ligands from soluble class I and class II MHC molecules which may be uninfected, infected, or tumorgenic. The methodology of the present invention broadly allows for these peptide ligands and their comcomittant source proteins thereof to be identified and used as markers for infected versus uninfected cells and/or tumorgenic versus nontumorgenic cells with said identification being useful for marking or targeting a cell for therapeutic treatment or priming the immune response against infected cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a methodology for assaying the binding of a peptide to an individual, specific, soluble HLA molecule. The peptides utilized in the method may be identified by indirect methods utilizing T lymphocytes, or by a direct method of epitope discovery described herein.

Abstract: An artificial antigen presenting cell includes a liposome having at least one recombinant soluble MHC-peptide complex incorporated therein. The artificial antigen presenting cell may also include at least one additional signal molecule incorporated therein for manipulating the intensity and quality of the immune response. The recombinant soluble MHC molecule is obtained by a method utilizing PCR amplification of gDNA or cDNA, and a tag is attached thereto for anchoring the recombinant soluble MHC molecule to the liposome.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a methodology for the isolation, purification and identification of peptide ligands presented by MHC positive cells. In particular, the methodology of the present invention relates to the isolation, purification and identification of these peptide ligands from soluble class I and class II MHC molecules which may be from uninfected, infected, or tumorigenic cells. The methodology of the present invention broadly allows for these peptide ligands and their cognate source proteins thereof to be identified and used as markers for infected versus uninfected cells and/or tumorigenic versus nontumorigenic cells with said identification being useful for marking or targeting a cell for therapeutic treatment or priming the immune response against infected cells.