Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Immunopeptidomics: Isolation of Mouse and Human MHC Class I- and II-Associated Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Published on: October 15, 2021
HLA class I epitopes: C-locus
Tatsuya Akaza1, Nadim El-Awar, Anh Nguyen
1HLA Laboratory NPO, Kyoto, Japan,
Insights
This study identified 12 C antigen epitopes, including four unique to C antigens and others shared across different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci. These findings advance understanding of HLA polymorphism and immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Molecular immunology
- Histocompatibility
Background:
- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes are highly polymorphic, crucial for immune response.
- HLA class I antigens (A, B, C) present peptides to T cells, influencing immune recognition.
- Understanding HLA epitope diversity is key to transplantation and disease association studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel C antigen epitopes.
- To investigate the distribution of epitopes across HLA-A, -B, and -C loci.
- To provide a detailed map of HLA class I epitope sharing.
Main Methods:
- Epitope identification using high-resolution HLA typing data.
- Bioinformatic analysis of HLA sequence variations.
- Comparative analysis of epitope profiles across HLA-A, -B, and -C alleles.
Main Results:
- Identification of 12 distinct C antigen epitopes.
- Discovery of four epitopes exclusively located on C antigens.
- Characterization of five inter-locus epitopes shared between HLA-B and -C.
- Identification of three epitopes shared across HLA-A, -B, and -C loci.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals significant epitope diversity within and between HLA class I loci.
- Newly identified epitopes contribute to the complexity of HLA antigen presentation.
- This epitope mapping provides a foundation for future immunological and clinical research.
Abstract:
Here we identify 12 C antigen epitopes of which four are exclusively found on the C antigens, and inter-locus epitopes including five shared by B and C and three shared by A, B and C antigens.
Related Concept Videos
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Antigen Processing Pathways
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Diversity of Antigen Receptors
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...

