Variants of HLA-DRw52 defined by T lymphocyte clones.
Polymorphism within the gene encoding the DRw52 allospecificity was studied with DRw52-specific proliferative T lymphocyte clones. Three clones, C6, E3 and ZUK16, were generated by intra-DRw52 priming in mixed lymphocyte culture and tested against an HLA-D homozygous reference cell panel. The reactivity of each clone could be specifically inhibited by anti-DR, but not anti-DQ or anti-DP, monoclonal antibodies. Clone C6 identified a DRw52 variant termed 52a that was predominantly expressed by HLA-B8,DR3+ and DRw13,Dw18+ cells. Clone E3 identified a variant termed 52b which was predominantly expressed by HLA-B18,DR3+,DRw11,Dw5+ and DRw14,Dw9+ cells. Clone ZUK16 identified a variant termed 52c which was predominantly expressed by DRw13,Dw19+ cells. The DRw52a, 52b and 52c variants correspond to the Dw24, Dw25 and Dw26 alleles defined by the WHO HLA 1987 Nomenclature Committee. Together, clones E3 and ZUK16 appeared to identify a fourth DRw52 variant termed 52d which was expressed by two cells, one DR3, Dw"3.3"+ and one DRw14,Dw"9.2"+. A fifth Drw52 variant termed 52e, expressed by a DRw13,Dw"OMW"+ cell, was suggested by the absence of reactivity with any of the three T cell clones. These data thus demonstrate the existence of three well-defined allelic variants of DRw52 and indicate that there are at least two additional variants. The recognition of these polymorphisms by alloreactive T cells provides one measure of their functional significance.
Mickelson
E M
EM
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98104.
Masewicz
S A
SA
Cotner
T
T
Hansen
J A
JA
D000483:Alleles; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059810:HLA-DR Serological Subtypes; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009154:Mutation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059810:HLA-DR Serological Subtypes; C051104:HLA-DR52 antigen