title: Expression of class I and class II major histocompatibility complex antigens on oral mucosal epithelium.
abstract: The expression of the Class I and Class II major histocompatibility antigens on oral mucosa was investigated using type-specific monoclonal antibodies. Class I antigen expression varied between various sites and in uncomplicated inflammatory responses appeared to be suppressed. HLA-DR antigen expression was only present on epithelial cells in the presence of extraneous immunocompetent cells. Oral mucosa did not express HLA-DQ antigens. The expression of Class I and Class II antigens varied between disease states exhibiting proliferative or destructive tissue responses. The pattern of Class I and Class II antigen expression is consistent with either MHC-restricted cellular interactions and subsequent destruction of epithelial cells or a protective role in non-destructive conditions.
mesh_terms: D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005881:Gingiva / Q000276:immunology*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000276:immunology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens