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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Immunopeptidomics: Isolation of Mouse and Human MHC Class I- and II-Associated Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Published on: October 15, 2021
Non-canonical peptides bound to MHC
Stephanie L Day1, Paul A Ramsland, Vasso Apostolopoulos
1Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research, Centre for Immunology, Immunology and Vaccine, and Structural Immunology Laboratories, VIC, Australia.
Central to the initiation of a T cell dependent immune response is the recognition of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or class II molecules (in humans termed HLA and in mice termed H-2) bound to antigenic peptide. T cell receptors (TCR) have programmed specificity for particular peptide/MHC complexes, which ensures focused immune responses are generated against the antigen source. To design effective peptide based vaccines a comprehensive understanding of the specific interactions between MHC molecules and peptide, and of TCR recognition of MHC/peptide is valuable. We place particular emphasis on non-canonical bound peptides and their use in immunotherapy studies.
Central to the initiation of a T cell dependent immune response is the recognition of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or class II molecules (in humans termed HLA and in mice termed H-2) bound to antigenic peptide. T cell receptors (TCR) have programmed specificity for particular peptide/MHC complexes, which ensures focused immune responses are generated against the antigen source. To design effective peptide based vaccines a comprehensive understanding of the specific interactions between MHC molecules and peptide, and of TCR recognition of MHC/peptide is valuable. We place particular emphasis on non-canonical bound peptides and their use in immunotherapy studies.
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