Anti-HLA-E / Nonclassical MHC class I molecule HLA-E, clone HLAE/13126

1 mg/ml in 1X PBS, BSA free, sodium azide free. Non-classical MHC class I antibody targets HLA class I histocompatibility antigen E, a specialized major histocompatibility complex class I molecule encoded by the HLA-E gene. Unlike classical MHC class I proteins such as HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C, HLA-E exhibits limited polymorphism and serves predominantly immune regulatory functions rather than broad peptide antigen presentation. Non-classical MHC class I molecules are characterized by restricted peptide repertoires and distinct roles in immune surveillance, making a non-classical MHC class I antibody an important tool for immunology research.HLA class I histocompatibility antigen E is primarily expressed at the cell surface in association with beta-2 microglobulin and short peptides derived from the leader sequences of other HLA class I molecules. This peptide presentation enables HLA-E to interact with CD94 NKG2 receptor complexes on natural killer (NK) cells. Engagement of inhibitory receptors such as CD94 NKG2A transmits tolerance signals that prevent NK cell-mediated killing of healthy cells. Because of this mechanism, HLA-E is widely recognized as a key immune checkpoint molecule within the innate immune system. Use of a non-classical MHC class I antibody allows detailed study of NK cell inhibition and immune self-recognition pathways.Beyond its role in NK cell regulation, HLA class I histocompatibility antigen E can present select pathogen-derived peptides to subsets of CD8-positive T cells, linking innate and adaptive immune responses. Expression of HLA-E is modulated by inflammatory cytokines, cellular stress, and infection, allowing dynamic adjustment of immune tolerance mechanisms. Viral pathogens, including cytomegalovirus, are known to exploit HLA-E upregulation as a strategy to evade immune clearance. A non-classical MHC class I antibody is therefore valuable for studies of host-pathogen interactions and immune evasion biology.HLA-E expression has significant relevance in cancer immunology. Many tumors increase expression of non-classical MHC class I molecules, including HLA-E, to suppress NK cell activity and escape immune surveillance. Elevated HLA-E levels have been reported across a range of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, where they may contribute to immune suppressive tumor microenvironments. Use of a non-classical MHC class I antibody supports research into tumor immune escape mechanisms and the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies targeting NK cell checkpoints.Structurally, HLA class I histocompatibility antigen E shares the conserved alpha chain architecture of MHC class I proteins but differs in its peptide-binding groove, which accommodates a limited and conserved peptide set. This structural specialization underlies its unique immune regulatory function. Because non-classical MHC class I expression reflects immune modulation rather than antigen diversity, antibody-based detection of HLA-E is frequently used to assess immune regulatory status in tissues rather than classical antigen presentation capacity.Clone HLAE/13126 is designed to recognize HLA class I histocompatibility antigen E and supports detection of non-classical MHC class I expression in research applications. NSJ Bioreagents offers this non-classical MHC class I antibody to support studies of NK cell biology, immune tolerance, tumor immunology, and non-classical HLA function.