Detection, isolation, and functional characterization of two human T-cell subclasses bearing unique differentiation antigens.
A heterologous antihuman T-cell serum (anti-TH1), raised against purified peripheral T cells, and absorbed with an autologous Ig+ line, was shown to bind specifically to T- but not to B-lymphoid cells by both a complement-dependent cytotoxic assay and indirect immunofluorescence. Whereas 90% fetal thymocytes and thymocytes were killed by anti-TH1 and complement, a consistently restricted population (50-60%) of peripheral T cells from several normal donors were lysed, indicating that anti-TH1 is directed against one or more thymus-specific antigens which are lost or reduced on a subpopulation of human T cells in the periphery. Functional analysis of the unreactive (TH1-) and reactive (TH1+) T-cell subclasses demonstrated that TH1- cells mounted a good proliferative response to a battery of specific soluble antigens (mumps, PPD, tetanus toxoid) but neither responded in MLC, nor elaborated LMF in response to tetanus toxoid. In contrast TH1+ cells proliferated in MLC and elaborated LMF but did not respond by 3H-incorporation to soluble antigens. The relevance of these findings to human T-cell functions in vivo and to previously described functional subclasses of murine T cells is discussed.
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000032:analysis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009109:Mumps virus / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D014373:Tuberculin
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007519:Isoantigens; D008222:Lymphokines; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D014373:Tuberculin; D004247:DNA