Functional reactivity of WT31 monoclonal antibody with T cell receptor-gamma expressing CD3+4-8- T cells.
About 3% of normal peripheral blood T lymphocytes have the phenotype CD3+4-8-. The vast majority of these cells lack the conventional TCR-alpha-, beta complex but express the recently identified TCR-gamma, delta/CD3 receptor complex. These TCR gamma+/CD3+ cells were initially discovered by using as a criterion the lack of reactivity with WT31 mAb. This mAb has been reported to recognize a "framework" epitope on the TCR-alpha, beta/CD3 complex. However, using high concentrations of WT31 mAb, low levels of reactivity with the cell membrane of TCR-gamma+ cells can be observed. This reactivity was significantly increased upon removal of sialic acid residues by neuraminidase. In addition, WT31 mAb is capable to induce lysis by TCR-gamma+ clones. Moreover, immunoprecipitation with WT31 by using cell lysates prepared with the mild detergent digitonin resulted in the isolation of the intact TCR-gamma/CD3 complex. Thus, in contrast to what was previously assumed, WT31 mAb also reacts with a functional epitope present on gamma, delta/CD3 T cells, and therefore lack of reactivity with WT31 mAb is not always a proper hallmark for TCR-gamma-expressing cells.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006031:Glycosylation; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D010641:Phenotype; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000939:Epitopes; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D012794:Sialic Acids; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid