Class II MHC antigen (HLA‐DR) expression in the developing sweat gland

Abstract
Class II MHC antigen (HLA-DR) is a normal constituent of the ductular lining cells of the sweat gland. In development, HLA-DR is first expressed on the developing bud of the growing gland as it extends down from the epidermis. The cells immediately behind the bud lose this staining. The antigen subsequently appears on the ductular lining cells and extends from the acrosyringium down the full length of the duct. The coils are negative. The appearance of the antigen in these two different situations suggests that it has a role both in embryogenesis and in the normal functioning of the mature gland.