Epitope analogs

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to analogs of peptides corresponding to class I MHC-restricted T cell epitopes and methods for their generation. These analogs can contain amino acid substitutions at residues that directly interact with MHC molecules, and can confer improved, modified or useful immunologic properties. Additionally classes of analogs, in which the various substitutions comprise the non-standard residues norleucine and/or norvaline, are disclosed.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A method of making a T cell epitope analogue comprising,
 providing an amino acid sequence of a segment of a target-associated antigen, the segment having known or predicted affinity for the peptide binding cleft of a MHC protein,   changing at least one amino acid of the sequence corresponding to an anchor position of a MHC binding motif to Nle or Nva, and   synthesizing a peptide comprising the changed sequence.   
     
     
         45 . A T cell epitope peptide analogue wherein the analogue differs from a native epitope peptide by replacement of at least one native residue corresponding to an anchor position of a MHC binding motif with a Nle or Nva residue.