RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HL-A ANTIGENS AND β2-MICROGLOBULIN AS STUDIED BY IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE ON THE LYMPHOCYTE MEMBRANE

The antibody-induced redistribution of β2-microglobulin (β2-µ) and HL-A antigens on the surface of living lymphocytes was studied by immunofluorescence. When all β2-µ was redistributed on the lymphocyte membrane by specific rabbit antibodies and goat antirabbit Ig conjugates, the HL-A antigens were no more detectable with anti-HL-A conjugates outside the β2-µ caps already formed. However, the redistribution of HL-A antigens fails to provoke the redistribution of all detectable β2-µ molecules. These results suggest that HL-A antigens may be associated with β2-µ at the cell surface, but that all β2-µ molecules are not bound to HL-A antigens.