MHC PEPTIDOMICS

MHC PEPTIDOMICS

All nucleated cells in higher vertebrates express MHC class I proteins on their surface (HLA class I in humans), while only a subset of cells (mostly professional antigen-presenting cells) express MHC class II.
Malignant cells, which display tumor-associated peptides on MHC molecules, can be recognized and killed by T cells. There is a growing evidence that the tumor rejection process can be boosted by suitable immunostimulatory approaches, such as treatment with anti-PD-1 antibodies or immunocytokines.

Philochem scientists have developed powerful methodologies for the detailed analysis of human and mouse MHC-bound peptides. Indeed, thousands of MHC class I and MHC class II bound peptides can be identified with high confidence, using a combination of immunocapture and state-of-the-art mass spectrometry. Once the tumor- or disease-associated peptides have been identified, they can be incorporated in artificial MHC tetramers to test their immunoreactivity. Insights into T cell recognition processes are invaluable for the development of immunomodulatory strategies against cancer and chronic inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, MHC peptidome analysis provides useful biomarkers for patient stratification strategies.