Method for Controlling Immunodominance
OwnerAndrea J. Santinventor
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Abstract
Methods for controlling immunodominance are described. These methods are carried out by altering the kinetic stability of a complex between a class II Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecule and the epitope for which immunodominance is to be altered. Alterations that increase the kinetic stability of the epitope: class II MHC complex confer immunodominance upon the epitope. Methods are also described for stimulating an immune response in an organism to a specific epitope by administering to the organism a form of that epitope which has been altered to be immunodominant.
Claims20
A method for making a vaccine which stimulates an immune response to a chosen epitope, said method comprising,
- modifying said epitope in a manner that increases the kinetic stability of a complex of a class II MHC molecule and said modified epitope, and
- administering said modified epitope to an organism in a manner that causes stimulation of the immune response to said epitope.
A method for controlling the immunodominance of a chosen epitope, said method comprising,
- modifying said epitope in a manner that modifies the kinetic stability of a complex of a class II MHC molecule and said modified epitope.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.