Figure 4. Promiscuous HLA binding capacity of dominant epitopes.

Individual 15-mer epitopes (n=96) from the 74 epitope regions derived from the 16 allergen sources where peptide specific responses could account for 15% or more of the responses detected with the extract, and that were recognized in two or more donors, were tested for their capacity to bind a panel of 35 different DR, DP and DQ molecules. The cumulative percent of epitopes (black line) binding various fractions of the class II panel is shown. 73% of the epitopes bound 50% or more of the molecules tested with an affinity of 1000 nM, or better. Also shown is the cumulative percentage of peptides in a control panel of 425 unbiased, non-redundant, peptides binding various fractions of the same class II panel; only 17% of the control peptides bound 50% or more of the molecules tested.