MHC Class I Monoclonal Antibody (Clone W6/32)

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, also designated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules, are cell-surface receptors that bind foreign peptides and present them to T lymphocytes.{33427} MHC class I molecules consist of two polypeptide chains, an ? or heavy chain, and ?2-microglobulin, a non-covalently associated protein.{28687} Cytotoxic T lymphocytes bind antigenic peptides presented by MHC class I molecules.{33425} Antigens that bind to MHC class I molecules are typically 8-10 residues in length and are stabilized in a peptide binding groove.{33426} HLA-class I MHC antigens are intrinsic membrane glycoproteins expressed on nucleated cells and non-covalently associated with an invariant ?2-microglobulin. They carry foreign determinants important for immune recognition by cytotoxic T cells and are thus important for antiviral and antitumor defense. {33425} Human HLA-class I antigens are represented by HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C molecules