Phylogenetically conserved epitopes of leukocyte antigens

Abstract The occurrence of conserved epitopes in the immune system was investigated on the leukocytes of cattle, river buffalo, sheep, camel, swine and humans by indirect immunofluo-rescence and flow cytometry. The distribution of the most conservative epitopes on leukocyte sub-populations suggests that the expression pattern of the proteins is similar. Western blotting experiments indicate that the recognized antigens are structural homologues.