HLA Antibodies
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies specifically target HLA proteins, which are cell-surface molecules that present peptides to immune cells, primarily T cells, to regulate the immune system.
HLA Molecule Classifications
HLA proteins are the human-specific members of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). HLA-A, -B, and -C molecules are categorized as class I, while HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP molecules are class II.
HLA class I molecules:
• Are expressed on all nucleated cells
• Present intracellular peptides to CD8+ T cells
• Are critical for eliciting an immune response against intracellular pathogens, e.g., viruses
HLA class II molecules:
• Are mostly expressed on professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs): macrophages, B cells, and dendritic cells
• Present extracellular antigens to CD4+ T cells
• Facilitate the immune response to external pathogens, e.g., bacteria and fungi
Research Applications of HLA Antibodies
Anti-HLA antibodies are used for identifying and quantifying HLA proteins in cells or tissues in the following applications:
• Flow cytometry for single-cell analysis of HLA expression, e.g., in immunophenotyping
• Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry to visualize HLA distribution in tissue sections
• Western blotting or immunoprecipitation to bulk analyze HLA protein expression from cell lysate
• ELISA for high-throughput analysis of HLA protein concentration
HLA Antibody Range — Key Products in Detail
Below is a structured overview of representative anti-HLA antibodies that we range, their HLA targets, clones, formats, and validated applications:
Antibody (Catalog Number) |
HLA Target |
Host/ Isotype |
Formats |
Validated Applications |
Key Product Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Clone: W6/32 (MCA81) |
HLA-A, -B, -C (class I). Recognizes a conformational epitope on the alpha-2 and alpha-3 domains shared among all HLA-A, -B, and -C products |
Mouse/ IgG2a |
42 formats available, including StarBright™ Dyes |
Immunohistology — frozen (C), ELISA (E), flow cytometry (F), immunofluorescence (IF), immunoprecipitation (IP) |
Three major MHC class I proteins (HLA-A, -B, -C) found on the surface of almost all nucleated somatic cells. Cross-reactivity reported with multiple non-human primate species, bovine, dog, guinea pig, rabbit, mouse, chicken, and others |
|
(AHP2479) |
HLA-A (class I alpha chain) |
Rabbit/ Polyclonal IgG |
1 format available (50 µl) |
Immunohistology — paraffin (P), western blot (WB) |
One of the three major MHC class I proteins used by the immune system to determine self from non-self |
|
Clone: HLA ABC-m3 (MCA116) |
HLA-B27 allele (class I). Higher affinity for B27 (9.7 × 10⁸ M⁻¹) vs. B7 (9.5 × 10⁷ M⁻¹) |
Mouse/ IgG2a |
1 format (FITC conjugate, 100 Tests/1 ml) |
Flow cytometry (F) |
Recognized HLA-B27 in 47/47 conventionally typed B27+ individuals. Precipitates molecules of 43 kDa (class I heavy chain) and 12 kDa (β₂-microglobulin). Expected fluorescence: strong for hetero-/homozygous B27+; faint for heterozygous B7+; negative for non-B27/non-B7 |
|
Clone: HL-39 (MCA1879) |
HLA-DR alpha/beta chain heterodimer (class II). Recognizes a determinant dependent on the association of both alpha and beta chains |
Mouse/ IgG3 |
2 formats available |
Immunohistology — frozen (C), flow cytometry (F) |
HLA-DR is expressed primarily on antigen-presenting cells — B lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and activated T lymphocytes |
|
Clone: WR18 (MCA477) |
HLA-DP, -DQ, -DR (all class II). Reacts with a monomorphic determinant common to DP, DQ, and DR beta chains |
Mouse/ IgG2a |
35 formats available, including StarBright Dyes |
Flow cytometry (F), functional assay (FN), immunohistology — paraffin (P) |
Expressed by antigen-presenting cells, B cells, monocytes, and activated T lymphocytes. Designated for research purposes only |
|
Clone: MEM-E/02 (MCA2193) |
HLA-E denatured heavy chain (non-classical MHC class I). Does not recognize native HLA-E by flow cytometry; does not cross-react with HLA-A, -B, -C, or -G |
Mouse/ IgG1 |
1 format available |
Western blot (WB) |
HLA-E exists as a heterodimer of a heavy chain and beta-2-microglobulin. Published customer data shows use in immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded colorectal cancer biopsies to assess HLA-E expression and its association with CD94+ intraepithelial lymphocytes via the HLA-E/CD94-NKG2A axis |
|
Clone: MEM-G/9 (MCA2044) |
HLA-G native surface form. Recognizes HLA-G1 (membrane-bound isoform, when associated with β₂-microglobulin) and reportedly the soluble HLA-G5 isoform. Does not recognize HLA-G2, -G3, or -G4 |
Mouse/ IgG1 |
2 formats available |
Immunohistology - frozen (C), ELISA (E), flow cytometry (F), immunofluorescence (IF), |
HLA-G expression is normally restricted to trophoblast cells and some medullary thymic epithelial cells. Several isoforms exist, including membrane-bound HLA-G1 through G4 and soluble HLA-G5 through G7 |
| PLEASE NOTE: All products are for research purposes only | |||||
Choosing the Appropriate Antibody: Application-Driven Selection
A critical consideration when selecting an anti-HLA antibody is matching the clone to both the target and the experimental technique. Some antibodies recognize only denatured epitopes (suitable for western blot or IHC on fixed tissues but not for flow cytometry on live cells), while others bind native conformational epitopes (suitable for flow cytometry and functional assays). For example:
• Clone MEM-E/02 (HLA-E) reacts only with the denatured heavy chain — it is effective in western blot but cannot detect native HLA-E on live cells by flow cytometry
• Clone MEM-G/9 (HLA-G), in contrast, recognizes the native surface-expressed HLA-G1 isoform complexed with β₂-microglobulin, making it suitable for flow cytometry on live cells as well as ELISA and immunofluorescence
• Clone W6/32 (pan-class I) recognizes a conformational epitope on alpha-2 and alpha-3 domains, functioning across multiple techniques including flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, and ELISA
This distinction matters because researchers studying HLA-E expression in tumor biopsies (fixed tissue) can effectively use MEM-E/02, whereas those needing to quantify HLA-E on live cell surfaces would require a different clone capable of binding the native molecule.
Similarly, the breadth of reactivity differs:
• Broad/pan-specific clones (W6/32 for class I; WR18 for class II) detect all molecules within their class, making them ideal for surveying total MHC expression on cells or tissues
• Allele-specific clones (e.g., HLA-ABC-m3 for HLA-B27) provide discriminatory power — essential for identifying the presence of a specific HLA variant
Please use the buttons/filters to sort the attributes in the table below in order to find the antibody that fits your exact requirements. If you need any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our HLA Antibody Range
| Description | Target | Format | Clone | Applications | Citations | Code |
|---|