[Analysis of binding capacities between HLA class II molecules and synthetic peptides HA307-319]

MHC class II molecules control immune responses for T cell recognition of peptide antigens. In this study, we have examined the lymphocyte proliferative response (LPR) for HA307-319, a synthetic peptide, derived from hemagglutinin of a human influenza virus A strain, and the binding capacities of several DR and DQ molecules, which are frequently expressed in Japanese, with HA307-319. The high response of lymphocytes to HA307-319 was observed in DR1-positive subjects, and DR1 molecules had higher binding capacitise than DR2 and DR9 with the peptide. Also, three types of DQ molecules could bind weakly with HA307-319.