MHC CLASS II, I-E Antibody

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class II molecules are essential components of the immune system. They play a critical role in the presentation of antigens to T cells, which is vital for initiating immune responses. The MHC Class II (I-E) molecules in mice are particularly significant for research purposes, as they help in understanding immune mechanisms and developing therapeutic interventions.

MHC Class II molecules are heterodimeric transmembrane glycoproteins composed of an alpha (α) chain and a beta (β) chain. In mice, the MHC Class II genes are located in the H-2 I region . The I-E molecules are one of the two main types of MHC Class II molecules in mice, the other being I-A. The I-E molecule consists of a 33 kDa α chain and a 28 kDa β chain .

These molecules are expressed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells . They present exogenous peptide antigens, typically 15-24 amino acids in length, to CD4+ T helper cells . This antigen presentation is crucial for the activation of T cells and the subsequent immune response.

The MHC Class II (I-E) mouse antibody is widely used in various scientific applications, including:

• Flow Cytometry: To analyze the expression of MHC Class II molecules on the surface of cells.
• Immunohistochemistry: For detecting MHC Class II molecules in tissue sections.
• Immunoprecipitation: To isolate MHC Class II molecules from cell lysates.
• Functional Assays: To study the role of MHC Class II molecules in immune responses .

The MHC Class II (I-E) mouse antibody, such as the M5/114.15.2 clone, reacts with both I-A and I-E subregion-encoded glycoproteins. It detects a polymorphic determinant present on B cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and activated T lymphocytes from mice carrying specific haplotypes (H-2^b, H-2^d, H-2^q, H-2^p, H-2^r, and H-2^u) . This antibody is also reported to inhibit I-A-restricted T cell responses of these haplotypes .