Anti-Mouse MHC Class II (I-A) [Clone Y-3P] - Purified <i>in vivo</i> GOLD™ Functional Grade (H470-GRP)

H-2, the murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC), is composed of a diverse group of antigens divided into class I and II proteins that function in immune response1. Class II molecules, also known as Ia antigens, regulate recognition of foreign antigens on the surfaces of antigen presenting cells and play a major role in the mixed lymphocyte response2. Mice have two class II isotypes, I-A and I-E, each of which is a glycoprotein composed of an ⍺ and β subunit. The N-terminal α1 and β1 domains of the MHC class II isotype form the antigen- binding groove, which binds 13-25 aa peptides derived from exogenous antigens3. On APCs, MHC class II molecules play a critical role in the adaptive immune response by presenting phagocytosed antigens to helper CD4 T cells. The T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex of CD4 T cells interacts with peptide-MHC class II, which induces CD4 T cell activation leading to the coordination and regulation of other effector cells. CD4 molecules also bind to MHC class II, which helps augment TCR signaling4. Additionally, MHC class II expressed on activated T cells are capable of antigen presentation5 and can transduce signals into T cells, enhancing T cell proliferation and activity6. Y-3P was generated by repeatedly immunizing primed mice with activated T cells over the course of a year7. Y-3P reacts with I-A subregion-controlled A ⍺: A β complexes of all mouse strains except the responder strain H-2d. Y-3P is commonly used for in vivo blockade of TCR stimulation8,9 and MHC class II blocking10,11,12,13,14,15.