Expression and function of Qa-2 major histocompatibility complex class I molecules in transgenic mice.
Qa-2 molecules are weak transplantation antigens encoded by class I genes of the major histocompatibility complex. When expressed in transgenic CBA mice, Qa-2 molecules provoke rapid rejection of skin grafts and strong, Qa-2 specific, cytotoxic T-cell responses. Efficient rejection of skin grafts from Qa-2 transgenic mice takes place when Qa-2 molecules are attached to the cell membrane with a glycophosphatidyl anchor or by a transmembrane protein domain, except that rejection times are slightly longer in the former case. These results demonstrate that Qa-2 molecules can behave as major transplantation antigens, as do closely related H-2 molecules. Failure of Qa-2 molecules to provoke strong T-cell responses in non-transgenic mice is probably due to the very low level of expression of Qa-2 molecules in skin keratinocytes from such mice since these cells express increased levels of Qa-2 molecules in all Qa-2 transgenic mice.
Mellor
A L
AL
Division of Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, UK.
Tomlinson
P D
PD
Antoniou
J
J
Chandler
P
P
Robinson
P
P
Felstein
M
M
Sloan
J
J
Edwards
A
A
O'Reilly
L
L
Cooke
A
A
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D005813:Genes, Synthetic; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D064532:Histocompatibility Antigen H-2D; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000276:immunology; D015202:Protein Engineering; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D006183:H-2 Antigens; D064532:Histocompatibility Antigen H-2D; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C032907:Q surface antigens; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins