Abstract
The transplantation antigens H-2K, H-2D and H-2L are developmentally regulated1-3, highly polymorphic4 cell surface proteins encoded by the major histocompatibility gene complex (MHC)5-7. First detectable on the early embryo2,3, they are subsequently expressed on most somatic cells of the adult mouse in association with the protein β2-microglobulin (β2M; ref. 5). Cultured F9 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells can be induced to differentiate along alternative pathways to form either parietal8 or visceral9 extra-embryonic endoderm, each concomitant with a change in morphology and pattern of gene expression. Previous reports have demonstrated an increased level of transplantation antigens in differentiated F9 EC cells10-14, but the cell types expressing them were not defined. Here we show that the level of MHC H-2Kb and β2M transcripts is increased during both pathways of this differentiation. Expression of a foreign MHC H-2Kbm1 gene was found to be regulated in a similar manner when the gene was introduced into EC cells. In contrast, an introduced rabbit β-globin gene was not regulated but expressed constitutively.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 415-418 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Nature |
Volume | 310 |
Issue number | 5976 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1984 |