Techniques used to define human MHC antigens: monoclonals, class I and class II biochemistry

A variety of straightforward biochemical techniques have been applied to the analysis of HLA molecules. These techniques centre largely on two components: monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and gel analysis systems. Although only the basic applications are discussed here, the techniques have broad applications. Monoclonal-gel systems may be used for the characterisation of polymorphisms in HLA class I alpha chains or class II alpha and beta chains. This requires the use of mAbs which are locus-specific and monomorphic. Alternatively, B lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL) whose HLA antigen mobilities are known in advance may be used for screening uncharacterised monoclonals for locus specificity.