In humans the main MHC class I subfamilies are HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C (e.g. HLA-B27): these are present on virtually all cells of the body except RBC and platelets. The main MHC class II subfamilies are HLA-DP, -DR and -DQ (e.g. HLA-DR4). MHCII molecules are only expressed on APCs (DCs, B cells, M-phages, thymic epithelium) and sometimes in other cells under certain inflammatory conditions. In fact the HLA nomenclature refers to the gene encoding for the MHC molecule. Every individual has all these genes, but each one in a specific "version". Some "versions" are typically linked with a risk for certain auto-immune diseases (e.g. HLA-B27 in spondylarthritis, HLA-DR4 in rheumatoid arthritis). HLA-A,B,C version typing is also used to determine how far donor and acceptor tissue match prior to an organ transplantation. Traditionally, to detect MHCII on APCs, one uses an anti HLA-DR antibody (we use the ones from BD; they have them in FITC, PE, PE-Cy5, APC and biotin). Hope this basic info will help you somewhat Karim Maciej Simm wrote: > Dear group, > > I'm trying to read up on the topic of antigen presenting. One of the > topics that gives me trouble is the nomenclature. What I know and > learned about as MHC class 1 and MHC class 2 are often referred to as > HLA in reagent catalogs. > > I was looking for reagents that would distinguish between MHC I and > II and found HLA class I and that was easy. But it seems there are > many reagents for HLA class II > > My question, - what if any, is/are a good general reagent/clone that > would detect MHC class II for professional APC's ? > > thanks for any insights, > > Maciej > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger > http://phonecard.yahoo.com/
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