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Presence of HLA-D determinants on human macrophages

Abstract

WHEN lymphocytes from two genetically dissimilar individuals are cultured in vitro, blast transformation and increased DNA synthesis occur in some of them; this is the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) interaction1,2. In man, the MLC-activating determinants seem to be coded for by the genes of the HLA chromosome region, of which the HLA-D determinants seem to induce the strongest proliferation. HLA-D determinants are expressed on B cells3, skin cells4 and sperm5. Human macrophages can also activate allogeneic lymphocytes in vitro as detected in the mixed lymphocyte macrophage culture (MLMC) interaction6,7. The stimulating activity of the macrophages seems to be much greater than that of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Human la-like antigens (B-cell antigens) are strongly expressed on macrophages8,9. In the mouse, the lymphocyte-activating determinants of the M locus as well as those of the H–2 loci are also expressed on macrophages10. We now present evidence that the lymphocyte-activating determinants on human macrophages are also coded for by the HLA-D locus and that an antiserum against HLA-Dw2 (Ia-equivalent) or closely associated determinants can inhibit specifically the stimulatory properties of macrophages from Dw2-positive donors.

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HIRSCHBERG, H., KAAKINEN, A. & THORSBY, E. Presence of HLA-D determinants on human macrophages. Nature 263, 63–64 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/263063a0

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