title: Oestrogen and human T lymphocytes: presence of specific receptors in the T-suppressor/cytotoxic subset.
abstract: Human spleen cells were investigated for specific oestrogen binding using oestradiol-17 beta. High affinity, low capacity binding was observed (Kd = 2.5 X 10(-10) M) and the characteristics of the oestrogen receptor identified were typical of this type of species. T lymphocyte subpopulations were prepared by negative selection by means of the monoclonal antibodies Leu 2a and 3a. Oestrogen receptors were only found in T cells of the suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8-positive) subset while helper/inducer lymphocytes (CD4-positive) showed no significant steroid binding by cytosol and nuclear assays. These results are supported by data from experiments into the effects of oestradiol-17 beta on immunoglobulin secretion, where it was apparent that only the suppressor/cytotoxic T-cell subpopulation was responsive to the presence of the steroid.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Division, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Stimson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000378:metabolism*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol