Antipeptide antibodies: do they distinguish HLA-alloantigens?

Three immune sera, raised in rabbits against synthetic peptides corresponding in sequence to predetermined regions of the HLA-DQ histocompatibility antigens, were tested for their ability to recognize phenotypically distinct human lymphoblastoid cell lines. The immune sera readily recognize the immunogen. When tested on the cells, they react poorly but seem to exhibit a certain degree of specificity. The possibilities in developing true selective reagents for HLA-alloantigens are considered and discussed.