Human leukocyte histocompatibility complex DO (HLA-DO) is an intracellular, dimeric non-classical Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II protein composed of α- and β-subunits which interact with HLA-DM in order to fine tune immunodominant epitope selection.
[7][8] In contrast to other molecules of MHC class II, interferon gamma does not induce HLA-DO expression.
[1] During infection, exogenous antigen is internalized by phagocytosis or receptor-mediated endocytosis, and processed in hydrolytic enzyme-containing compartments of increasing acidity.
[11] Unlike classical MHC II proteins, but like HLA-DM, HLA-DO does not bind processed oligopeptides of antigen.
[11] An in vivo study using mice with an HLA-DO knockout lead to an increased disposition for self-reactive immune disease.