Analysis by sequential immunoprecipitations of the specificities of the monoclonal antibodies TU22,34,35,36,37,39,43,58 and YD1/63.HLK directed against human HLA class II antigens.

The monoclonal antibodies (MOABs) TU22, TU34, TU35, TU36, TU37, TU39, TU43, TU58 and YD1/63.HLK were used to identify subpopulations of class II antigens encoded by the human major histocompatibility complex. Since all MOABs reacted with B lymphocytes of HLA-DR1-8 homozygous as well as all heterozygous cells tested, they recognize monomorphic determinants, with the possible exception of TU58 and YD1/63.HLK which do not fix complement. As shown by radioactive binding assays and immunoprecipitations of labeled chains, 3 MOABs reacted strongly and 3 others weakly with isolated beta-chains, and the former also bound alpha-chains, albeit very weakly. Immunoprecipitations with the MOABs from 125I-labeled KR3598 cells (Dw5, DR5, MT2, MB3 homozygous, SB2, SB4) demonstrated that at least 4 different subpopulations of class II antigens were present in the lysate. Possibilities to reconcile these biochemical data with the reactivity of the MOABs with HLA mutant cell lines and with functional as well as tissue distribution studies are discussed.