Studies indicate that the T cell clones are recognizing tissue specific peptides in the context of HLA class I antigens. We have isolated HLA class I bound peptides from kidney cells and have determined the sequence for an HLA-A3 restricted allopeptide. Currently, we are determining the protein origin of this peptide. Similar approaches are in progress to determine tumor antigenic peptides for human breast and lung cancers. The increasing shortage of donor organs for transplantation has led to a search for suitable xenograft organs.
Pigs are now the primary candidate donor animal.
We are examining the mechanism of cellular rejection in xenografts. Studies are also ongoing towards determining the mechanism of rejection of both human and porcine islet cell transplants. Reconstitution of antigenic epitope with peptide eluted from lung adenocarcinoma MHC class I. Surgery. Jaramillo A, Smith MA, Phelan D, et al. Nguyen T, Naziruddin B, Dintzis S, et al.