beta(2)-mu-free HLA class I heavy chain levels in sera of healthy individuals. Lack of association with beta(2)-mu-associated HLA class I heavy chainlevels and HLA phenotype
F. Puppo et al., beta(2)-mu-free HLA class I heavy chain levels in sera of healthy individuals. Lack of association with beta(2)-mu-associated HLA class I heavy chainlevels and HLA phenotype, TISSUE ANTI, 53(3), 1999, pp. 253-262
We have applied a double-determinant immune assay (DDIA) to measure soluble
beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-mu)-free HLA class I heavy chains in serum.
The mean concentration of beta(2)-mu-free HLA class I heavy chains in seru
m from 120 healthy subjects was 0.21+/-0.24 mu g/ml. The individual serum l
evels of beta(2)-mu-free HLA class I heavy chains had a wide distribution,
did not seem ia be related with HLA phenotype, were stable over time and di
d not change with age. The serum levels of soluble beta(2)-mu-free HLA clas
s I heavy chains did not correlate with those of soluble beta(2)-mu-associa
ted HLA class I heavy chains, suggesting that their release is independentl
y regulated. Three forms of soluble beta(2)-mu-free HLA class I heavy chain
s, with apparent molecular masses of 44, 39 and 37-35 kD, respectively, cir
culate in human serum, These results provide a useful background to assess
the serum level of soluble beta(2)-mu-free HLA class I heavy chains in path
ological conditions and to evaluate their putative immunoregulatory functio
n.