Identification of major histocompatibility complex class II-associated peptides derived from freshly prepared rat Langerhans cells using MALDI-PSD and Edman degradation

The isolation and identification is described of MHC class II-bound peptides derived from Langerhans cells. A combination of preparative micro-HPLC, MALDI-MS, Edman degradation was used for determining the amino acid sequence of MHC-associated peptides. Sample handling was crucial because fractions containing trace amounts of material require immediate storage at -80 degrees C to prevent peptide losses.