DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF HLA CLASS-II ANTIGENS ON HUMAN-FETAL AND ADULT LYMPHOCYTES AND MACROPHAGES

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 55  (3) , 489-500
Abstract
A panel of monoclonal antibodies to monomorphic determinants of the major histocompatibility complex class II subregion locus products, DP, DR and DQ, was used to investigate the expression of these antigens on early lymphocytes and macrophages from fetal liver (13-20 wk), placenta (16 wk and term) and cord blood, in relation to the class II phenotype of cells from adult tonsil and peripheral blood. Fetal liver sections and cell suspensions showed differential expression of class II antigens. DP was expressed at a higher frequency (11.0% of nucleated cells) than DR on lymphoid cells and macrophages from fetal liver, and DQ was either absent or expressed on < 0.3% of nucleated cells. DP but not DR or DQ antigens were observed on vascular elements and macrophages in the villi of 16-wk placenta. At term, all 3 subregion locus products were expressed. Adult tonsil and peripheral blood B lymphocytes expressed DP, DR, and DQ antigens with similar frequency; however, DQ was expressed at a lower frequency than DP and DR on cord blood B lymphocytes. Thirty-50% macrophages from cord blood and adult peripheral blood expressed DP and DR, but fewer (5% and 18%, respectively) expressed DQ.