A specific nucleotide sequence defines a functional T-cell recognition epitope shared by diverse HLA-DR specificities.
An oligonucleotide probe that distinguishes the HLA-DR4, Dw14 allele from other HLA-DR4-associated class II genes was used to identify a common nucleotide sequence shared between the DR beta 1 locus encoding HLA-DR1 (Dw1), Dw16, and DRw10 haplotypes. The presence of this nucleotide sequence correlated with the ability of these haplotypes to stimulate an alloreactive proliferative T-cell clone (clone 14B) raised against a Dw14+ stimulator cell. Alleles of DR beta 1 that differ by one specific nucleotide variation at codon 71 neither hybridize to the Dw14-specific oligonucleotide nor stimulate clone 14B. These data demonstrate the presence of a shared epitope present on serologically distinct DR alleles that is recognized as a specific allodeterminant by a single T-cell clone.
D001483:Base Sequence; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D004247:DNA