Isolation of human minor histocompatibility peptides.

Incompatibility of human minor histocompatibility (hmH) antigens induces rejection of grafts in organ transplantation and graft versus host disease in bone marrow transplantation if donor and recipient are matched for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. These antigens are recognized only by T cells. We describe here the isolation of hmH peptides recognized by a hmH antigen specific, HLA-B35 restricted CTL clone which was derived from a patient who rejected the kidneys from two HLA-identical sisters. Naturally occurring hmH peptides were isolated from a donor derived B cell line and an HLA-B35 transfected human B cell line by acid elution. Analysis of various HLA class I transfectant cells demonstrated that MHC class I molecules themselves determine the peptides which are naturally processed and presented to T cells.