Somatic cell genetic analysis of HLA-A, B, C and human beta 2-microglobulin expression.

We have examined the cell surface expression of the human histocompatibility antigens HLA-A, B, C and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) on a human-mouse somatic cell hybrid line. Using specific antibodies and the fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS), we viably fractionated and characterized four separate hybrid subpopulations (HLA+,beta 2m+; HLA+,beta 2m-; HLA-,beta 2m+; HLA-,beta 2m-). Hybrid selection based on surface antigen expression resulted in corresponding genetic selection for and against human chromosomes 6 and 15. Studies of the homogeneous hybrid sublines revealed that the presence of human beta 2m in a hybrid cell dramatically increased the surface expression of human HLA-A, B, C and mouse H-2Kk antigens. The results demonstrate the importance of human chromosome-specific surface markers and the fluorescence-activated cell sorter in somatic cell genetic analysis.