EXPRESSION OF AN UNUSUAL BW4 EPITOPE BY A SUBTYPE OF HLA-B8 [B-ASTERISK-0802]

The primary structure of a variant HLA-B8 antigen has been determined by cDNA cloning and sequencing. The variant, B0802 differs, from the common B0801 subtype at positions 77-83 of the alpha(1) helix that de termine the Bw4 and Bw6 public epitopes. Whereas B0801 has the common Bw6 motif, B0802 has the Bw4 motif found in B*13 and B*44 allotypes. Serological analysis of B cell lines expressing B0802 and of a B*080 2 transfectant made with the HLA-A,B negative cell line 721.221 shows that B0802 reacts with Bw4-specific antibodies, but at a level much l ower than expected for Bw4 positive HLA-B allotypes.