Structurally diverse forms of HLA-B27 molecules are displayed in vivo in a cell type-dependent manner.
The formation of a trimeric complex, composed of heavy chain (HC), beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m) and antigenic peptide, is generally believed to be a prerequisite for the expression of HLA class I molecules at the cell surface in vivo. Therefore, a possible role in immunological processes for HC/beta(2)m complexes devoid of peptide has not been seriously considered. Using a novel HLA-B*2705-transgenic rat model and monoclonal antibodies that distinguish between structurally different forms of HLA-B27 molecules, we demonstrate here that class I molecules which appear to lack antigenic peptides are expressed in abundance on a variety of cell types in lymphoid organs. These results imply a role for structurally diverse, possibly empty, MHC molecules in physiological T cell selection which has so far not been sufficiently appreciated.
Rehm
A
A
Transplantationslabor, Klinik für Abdominal- und Transplantationschirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
Rohr
A
A
Seitz
C
C
Wonigeit
K
K
Ziegler
A
A
Uchanska-Ziegler
B
B
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; D010455:Peptides