HLA DR/DP Antibodies

Human MHC class II antigens are transmembrane glycoproteins composed of an alpha (36 kDa) and a beta chain (27kDa) and are expressed primarily on antigen presenting cells. Human MHC class II genes are located in the HLA-D region that encodes at least 6 alpha and 10 beta chain genes. Three loci, DR, DQ and DP, encode the major products of the human class II region. The human MHC class II molecules bind intracellularly processed peptides and present them to T-helper cells and therefore have a critical role in the initiation of the immune response. It has been shown that some autoimmune diseases are associated with certain class II alleles.