Abstract: Objective To set up a mouse keratinocyte line that expresses a H-2K^b restricted endogenous ovalbumin (OVA) antigen. Methods A mouse keratinocyte line (PAM212, H-2K^d) was transfected with a recombinant plasmid containing a desired partial sequence of ovalbumin under K5 promotor, and/or with other recombinant plasmid containing a H-2K^b gene. Cloned transfected PAM212 cells were examined by RT-PCR for OVA mRNA expression and flow cytometry for H-2K^b molecule expression. Results PAM212 transfectant lines that expressed OVA mRNA (named PAM-OVA, 4 lines), H-2K^b molecule (PAM-K^b, 2 lines) and both OVA mRNA and H-2K^b molecule (PAM-OK, 2 lines) were set up. Conclusion PAM-OK cell line will serve as a useful tool for interpreting interactions between peptide/MHC-Ⅰ complex and TCR specific CD8⁺ T cells.

Key words: Keratinocytes, Ovalbumin, Major histocompatibility complex