Minor histocompatibility antigens.
Dendritic cells permit identification of genes encoding MHC class II restricted isotopes of transplantation antigens. Our group studies T lymphocyte recognition, firstly of molecules on grafts during transplant rejection and secondly of self-molecules in autoimmune disease. Following transplantation, antigens stimulate T lymphocytes to attack tissues that express them. Grafts exchanged between two genetically different individuals are rejected at a rate which depends on the strength of polymorphic transplantation antigens and the number and type of T cells that recognise them. Our studies are focused on identifying the genes encoding peptides recognised by T cells, on determining how the ability of T cells to recognise peptides is shaped during thymic differentiation, and on defining the conditions which result in T lymphocyte activation.