Combinatorial peptide library screening allows detection of individual library peptides containing TRP-2-specific T cell epitopes.

<p><i>A</i>, Composition of the TRP-2-specific library peptide pools X1 to X8 and Y1 to Y8 used for combinatorial screening of specific T cell responses <i>ex vivo</i>. Individual library peptides determined by combinatorial screening are highlighted. <i>B</i>, Spleen cells from HLA-DR3tg mice injected i.p. with 5×10⁸ pfu Ad5.TRP-2 or Ad5.EGFP (2 mice per group) were screened <i>ex vivo</i> by IFN-γ ELISpot assay for recognition of TRP-2-specific library peptide pools. T cell responses of two control mice (Ad5.EGFP) and two TRP-2-immunized mice (Ad5.TRP-2) are represented as individual columns in the diagram. Reactivity against two controls, the H2-K^b-restricted CD8⁺ T cell epitope TRP-2_180-188 and the HLA-DRB1*0301-restricted CD4⁺ T cell epitope TRP-2_60–74 was tested in addition. Error bars show standard error of the mean. Experiments were performed four times, yielding similar results.