HLA class I molecules are associated with CD1a heavy chains on normal human thymus cells.
The molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex play a pivotal role in regulatory interactions between cells of the immune system, which can result in the activation and function of T cells. The function of the CD1 molecules, which are homologous to the major histocompatibility complex-encoded molecules but are encoded on human chromosome 1, is not known. HLA class I molecules and CD1a heavy chains share the ability to associate with several different cell-surface molecules. We show here, by several technical approaches, that HLA class I molecules are associated with CD1a heavy chains on the surface of normal thymus cells. The functional significance of this association during T-cell differentiation is discussed.
Amiot
M
M
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
Dastot
H
H
Degos
L
L
Dausset
J
J
Bernard
A
A
Boumsell
L
L
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010449:Peptide Mapping; D012016:Reference Values; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018949:Antigens, CD1; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D006680:HLA Antigens; D046911:Macromolecular Substances