The biochemical characterization of Syrian hamster cell-surface alloantigens. II. Immunochemical relationships between cell-surface alloantigens and class II MHC homologues.

Immunochemical comparisons between hamster cell-surface p39/p29 alloantigens and putative MHC class I and II products indicate that p39/p29 alloantigens are probable class II products. Both p39/p29 alloantigens and class II homologues have varying expression in hamster lymphoid tissues and are absent from fibroblasts. In addition, analysis by nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis demonstrates similar, although nonidentical, alloantigen and class II homologous charge profiles. This observation could reflect multiple class II subregions within the hamster MHC. These data therefore suggest an immunochemical description of the hamster MHC which is compatible with MHC models proposed for other mammalian species.