The "public" determinants HLA-Bw4/Bw6 do not generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs)

The human leucocyte antigens (HLA)-Bw4/Bw6 antigens detected serologically are "public" determinants located in the HLA-B molecule. They do not generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in primary allogeneic cultures (mixed lymphocyte antigens) and secondary (primed lymphocyte typing) cultures indicate that they do not behave like normal HLA "private" cell-mediated lympholysis determinants. Therefore, the contribution of the 79-83 (alpha 1) residues in the generation of the epitopes Bw4/Bw6 does not seem to be critical for the examination by T cell receptor in allogeneic CML. The different overlapping patterns of the serological and CTL examinations are discussed, based on the structure of HLA class I antigens.