Analysis of the expression of I-Ak-like antigens in murine fetal and adult tissues with the monoclonal antibody 10-2.16.

The expression of I-Ak antigens in normal C3H/FeJ adult and 15-day embryonic mice has been investigated by indirect immunofluorescence staining of tissue cryostat sections with the anti I-Ak antigen monoclonal antibody 10-2.16. In adult mice I-Ak antigens were expressed in Langerhans-like cells in the skin, epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract, endometrium, thymic reticuloepithelial cells, and several capillary endothelia. On the other hand, these antigens were not detected in Kupffer cells, alveolar macrophages, brain or mammary gland. In 15-day-old embryos the expression of Ia-like antigens was restricted to thymic reticuloepithelial cells, isolated spleen cells, and capillaries of the gastrointestinal tract.