Methods and compositions for identifying epitopes

Abstract

To provide methods and compositions for identifying target antigens specific to T cells so as to develop therapies and vaccines against diseases.SOLUTION: Described herein, in one aspect, are antigen presenting cells (APCs) comprising an exogenous nucleic acid encoding one or more candidate antigens, wherein the one or more candidate antigens are expressed and presented with MHC class I or MHC class II molecules; a molecular reporter of Granzyme B (GzB) activity; and c) an exogenous inhibitor of caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease (CAD)-mediated DNA degradation, a CAD knockout, or a caspase knockout (e.g., caspase 3 knockout). Described herein, in another aspect, is a system for detection of recognized antigen presentation by an antigen presenting cell to a cytotoxic lymphocyte or NK cell.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

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