Indirect immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase staining of surgically removed tissues of nonlymphoid origin with monoclonal antibodies to the heavy and light chain of HLA-A,B,C antigens have shown that they have a more restricted tissue distribution than previously assumed. HLA-A,B,C antigens were not detected in brain cortex, cerebellum, sympathetic ganglia, hypophysis, parathyroid gland, thyroid, exocrine pancreas, hepatocytes, sperm, seminiferous tubules, or skeletal or smooth muscle.

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... nant transformation of cells may be associated with appearance, changes in cellular distribution of HLA-A,B,C antigens, and/or dissociation in the expression of the two subunits. Analysis of primary tumors and of autologous metastases showed heterogeneity in the expression of HLA-A,B,C antigens among lesions removed from different sites. The degree of heterogeneity did not correlate with the site of origin of metastases.