title: Tissue-specific expression of an unusual H-2 (class I)-related gene.
abstract: Sequence analysis of mouse H-2 cDNA clones has suggested the existence of an unusual class of H-2 (class I)-related antigens that, unlike the classical membrane-associated molecules, retains only the extracellular portion and is likely to be secreted. The expression of this class of H-2-related mRNA is tissue restricted; it is detectable in liver but not in brain, kidney, testis, thymus, or spleen. In the liver, its accumulation represents about one-fourth of all the H-2 (class I)-specific transcripts. This class of transcripts is present in mice of different inbred strains, but the level of expression differs markedly among them. A model is presented in which such a soluble form of the H-2 antigen would play the role of a blocking factor in maintaining peripheral inhibition of H-2 recognition. This would ensure tolerance of the H-2 molecule as a self antigen while permitting it to act as a guidance molecule for the associative recognition of viral and tumor antigens by cytotoxic T cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012995:Solubility; D013045:Species Specificity; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D006183:H-2 Antigens; D012333:RNA, Messenger