The present invention provides peptide mimics for HLA class II antigens.
The peptide mimics were identified by panning phage display peptide
libraries with anti-HLA class II monoclonal antibodies. The peptide
mimics inhibit the binding of an anti-HLA class II antigen antibody to
HLA class II antigen positive cells and also elicit antibodies which can
bind to HLA class II antigen positive cells. The identified peptide
mimics can be used as immunogens for therapy of diseases related to cells
expressing the HLA class II antigen, such as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.