HLA supertypes and supermotifs: a functional perspective on HLA polymorphism

A large fraction of HLA class I, and possibly class II, molecules can be classified into relatively few supertypes, characterized by overlapping peptide-binding repertoires and consensus B- and F-pocket structures. Cross-binding peptides are frequently recognized by specific T cells in the course of natural disease processes and in the context of multiple HLA molecules, validating the concept of HLA supertypes at the functional level.