Relationship between HL-A antigens and beta-2-microglobulin as studied by immunofluorescence on the lymphocyte...

The antibody-induced redistribution of beta2-microglobulin (beta2-micro) and HL-A antigens on the surface of living lymphocytes was studied by immunofluorescence. When all beta2-micro 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 beta2-micro caps already formed. However, the redistribution of HL-A antigens fails to provoke the redistribution of all detectable beta2-micro molecules. These results suggest that HL-A antigens may be associated with beta2-micro at the cell surface, but that all beta2-micro molecules are not bound to HL-A antigens.