A novel class II MHC molecule with unusual tissue distribution

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Abstract
THE repertoire of mature class II-restricted T cells is generated through a complex process of selection whereby early T cells confront class II molecules in the thymus, especially on epithelial cells1–3. Expression of class II molecules on such cells is prominent both in the cortex and in the medulla4,5. We have identified a novel class II molecule, H–2O, which is expressed only in epithelial cells of the thymic medulla and in B cells. The unusual tissue distribution and the nonpolymorphic nature of H–2O suggest that its function is different from that of classical class II molecules.