[Differences in the distribution of class I and II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex on the surface of cultured epithelial cells of the mouse thyroid].

From day 9 to 15 of Thyroid Epithelial Cell (TEC) culture the expression of MHC antigens (K, D and Ia) was studied. Methods used for antigen detection included direct cytotoxicity in the presence of rabbit complement and electron microscopy using goat anti-mouse peroxidase-labeled Fab fragments. Results obtained showed that the K and D end-coded MHC antigens (class I) are exclusively expressed on the apical cell surface of TEC while Ia antigens (class II) are only found on the basal part of the cell.