HLA binding motifs and peptides and their uses

Abstract

The present invention provides the means and methods for selecting immunogenic peptides and the immunogenic peptide compositions capable of specifically binding glycoproteins encoded by HLA alleles and inducing T cell activation in T cells restricted by the allele. The peptides are useful to elicit an immune response against a desired antigen.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A peptide selected from the group consisting of peptides found in Tables 2-189. 
     
     
         3 . An isolated peptide less than 15 amino acids in length comprising the oligopeptide LLTFWNPPV (SEQ ID NO:11419). 
     
     
         4 . A composition comprising the peptide of  claim 3 , wherein said peptide is linked to a T helper peptide. 
     
     
         5 . A composition comprising the peptide of  claim 3 , wherein said peptide is linked to a spacer or linker, wherein said spacer or linker is between one and six amino acids in length. 
     
     
         6 . A composition comprising the peptide of  claim 3 , wherein said peptide is linked to a carrier. 
     
     
         7 . A composition comprising the peptide of  claim 3 , wherein said peptide is linked to a lipid. 
     
     
         8 . A composition comprising the peptide of  claim 4 , wherein said T-helper peptide is the PADRE helper peptide having the sequence aKXVAAWTLKAAa (SEQ ID NO:14635), wherein a is d-alanine and X is cyclohexylalanine. 
     
     
         9 . A homopolymer of the peptide of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         10 . A heteropolymer of the peptide of  claim 3  and at least one different peptide, wherein said at least one different peptide is not derived from influenza and is a cytotoxic T cell (CTL)-inducing peptide or a helper T cell (HTL)-inducing peptide. 
     
     
         11 . A composition comprising the peptide of  claim 3  and a carrier. 
     
     
         12 . A composition comprising the peptide of  claim 3  and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         13 . A composition comprising the peptide of  claim 3  and a liposome. 
     
     
         14 . A composition comprising the peptide of  claim 3 , and one or more different isolated peptides, wherein said one or more different isolated peptides is selected from the group consisting of: a cytotoxic T cell (CTL)-inducing peptide and a helper T cell (HTL)-inducing peptide. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , further comprising a carrier. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 14  further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.