Sequence and transfection of BoLA-DRB3 cDNAs

Bovine MHC (BoLA-) DRB3 alleles encoded by the DH8A, DH22A and DH24A class II haplotypes were cloned from cDNA and characterized by sequence analysis. Comparison with other full-length DRB3 sequences suggested that DRB3 alleles may have evolved through multiple lineages. All three BoLA-DRB3 alleles were shown to express on the surface of transfected cells, and the transfectants were used to define or confirm the class II specificity of a panel of monoclonal antibodies.