title: Quantifying epitope presentation using mass spectrometry.
abstract: Understanding the absolute quantities of MHC-bound epitopes (pMHC) presented on the surface of cells has long been a critical missing element in our knowledge of antigen presentation to T cells. Until recently, attaining such information has been restricted to the use of pMHC complex-specific monoclonal antibodies or T cell assays probing fractionated peptides eluted from cells. Although successful in a variety of cases, such approaches are limited in their scope and feasibility due to the nature of the reagents they are reliant upon. Here we report on the advancement of targeted mass spectrometry techniques to provide simultaneous and direct measurements of the relative and absolute levels of pMHC molecules and its potential for impact upon the field of antigen processing and presentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3141, Australia. Electronic address: nathan.croft@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Nathan P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Croft
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3141, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Purcell
authors.affiliation: Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. Electronic address: david.tscharke@anu.edu.au.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Tscharke
mesh_terms: D017951:Antigen Presentation; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D011485:Protein Binding
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D010455:Peptides
keywords: Antigen processing and presentation; Epitope; MHC; Mass spectrometry