MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX ANTIGENS IN THE RAT PANCREAS, ISOLATED PANCREATIC ISLETS, THYROID, AND ADRENAL

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies to rat class I and class II MHC [major histocompatibility complex] antigens were used with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique to localize these antigens in the DA rat pancreas, isolated pancreatic islets, adrenal and thyroid tissue. Class I (RTIA) antigens were expressed by pancreatic islet cells, adrenal cortical cells, thyroid follicular cells, and.sbd.in low concentration.sbd.on cells of the adrenal medulla. These same cells did not express class II (Ia or RT1B) antigens. Interstitial dendritic cells, staining intensely for class II antigens were present in thyroid, adrenal and pancreatic tissue, and within isolated pancreatic islets. These cells probably represent the immunogenic passenger leukocyte.