Inventors:
Peter R. Rhode - Miami FL
Jorge Acevedo - Miami FL
Martin Burkhardt - Miami FL
Jin-an Jiao - Fort Lauderdale FL
Hing C. Wong - Fort Lauderdale FL
Assignee:
Sunol Molecular Corporation - Miramar FL
International Classification:
C12P 2108, C12N 1509, A61K 3900, A61K 39385
Abstract:
The present invention relates to novel complexes of major histocompability complex (MHC) molecules and uses of such complexes. In one aspect, the invention relates to single chain MHC class II complexes that include a class II. beta. 2 chain modification, e. g. , deletion of essentially the entire class II. beta. 2 chain. In another aspect, the invention features single chain MHC class II which comprise an immunoglobin constant chain or fragment. Further provided are polyspecific MHC complexes comprising at least one single chain MHC class II molecule. MHC complexes of the invention are useful for a variety of applications including: 1) in vitro screens for identification and isolation of peptides that modulate activity of selected T cells, including peptides that are T cell receptor antagonists and partial agonists, and 2) methods for suppressing or inducing an immune response in a mammal.