Class II MHC Tetramers Available from MBL International

T cell receptors (TCRs) expressed on the surface of T cells specifically recognize and bind to complexes of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and peptide fragments. CD4+ T cells, which include helper and regulatory T cells, recognize complexes of MHC class II molecules and peptide.

CD4+ T cells play an important role in health and diseases. Analysis of these cells has long been hampered by a lack of suitable assays. Class II tetramers have become an important tool to investigate rare antigen-specific CD4+ T cells such as CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. In addition to monitoring disease progression and therapeutic intervention, class II tetramers can be used to study tolerance induction, vaccination efficacy, and autoimmunity.

MHC tetramers are complexes of four MHC molecules, associated with a specific peptide and bound to a fluorochrome. Class II tetramers bind to a distinct population of CD4+ T cells.

MHC class II tetramer staining is more technically challenging than class I tetramer staining.

• Antigen-specific CD4+ T cells are more rare than antigen-specific CD8+ T cells
• Affinity between the T cell receptor and MHC/peptide complex is generally lower
• Acquisition of 100,000-200,000 CD4+ T cells is typically required
• Exclusion gating essential
• T cell expansion and/or pre-enrichment may be required

MHC class II tetramers can be used to monitor antigen specific CD4+ T cell expansion after vaccination (Fig. 1) or after a natural immune response against a pathogen (Fig. 2).

Fig 1. Ex vivo measurement of DPB1*04:01 /TT947-967 -specific CD4+ T cells following vaccination with Tetanus Toxoid.

Fig 2. Detection of DRB1*01/EBV-specific CD4+ T cells in whole blood.

Class II Available Alleles:

Also Available:

Class 1 MHC Tetramers (Species available: Human, Mouse, Rhesus Macaque, Mauritian Cyno, Chicken and Human-Mouse Chimera)

CD1d Tetramers (NK Detection)

Non Classical Class I Tetramers:
HLA-E*01:01
HLA-E*01:03
Qa-1b

Interested in learning more? Click here to view our Tetramer FAQs!

MBL International have also produced a handy tetramer staining guide. Please contact us if you would like us to send you a copy.

MHC Class I Tetramers from MBL International are distributed exclusively in the United Kingdom & ROI by Caltag Medsystems. For further information about any of their products, please contact us at techsupport@caltagmedsystems.co.uk or call 01280 827460.