Anti-Human HLA A2,B7 (MHC Class I) - Purified <i>in vivo </i>GOLD™ Functional Grade (H1685-GRP)

HLA-B antibody, clone BB7.6, recognizes a shared epitope (Bw6) of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B1. MHC class I is ubiquitously expressed on the cell surface of nucleated cells and consists of a 45-kDa type I transmembrane glycoprotein (α-chain or heavy chain) and a 12-kDa soluble protein (β2-microglobulin, β2M)2,3. The α-chain consists of three domains (α1, α2, and α3)4. α1 and α2 form the closed antigen-binding groove and bind to 8-10 aa peptides derived from cytosolic antigens5-7. β2M noncovalently associates with α3, which is essential for MHC stability. MHC class I plays a critical role in the adaptive immune response by presenting endogenous antigens to cytotoxic CD8 T cells. MHC class I molecules can also present exogenous antigens to CD8 T cells via a process known as cross-presentation8. The T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex of CD8 T cells interacts with peptide-MHC class I, which induces CD8 T cell activation and subsequent cell-killing. CD8 molecules also bind to MHC class I, which helps augment TCR signaling9. In contrast to CD8 T cells, MHC class I is an inhibitory ligand for natural killer (NK) cells, promoting self tolerance10. MHC class I also contributes to the positive selection of CD8 T cells and NK cell specificity11,12.