title: Authentic T helper CD4 (W3/25) antigen on rat peritoneal macrophages.
abstract: The rat W3/25 antigen that appears to be equivalent to human CD4 (T4) antigen is expressed on thymocytes and T helper cells and plays a role in the response of T helper cells to antigen. The W3/25 and anti-T4 antibodies also label macrophages. In this paper we examine whether the macrophage antigen is the same as that on T cells. New monoclonal antibodies against the rat CD4 antigen, MRC OX-35 through OX-38, are described, all of which label peritoneal macrophages from normal and athymic rats. The molecular weight of W3/25 antigen on macrophages is indistinguishable from that on T cells. We conclude that macrophages express authentic CD4 (W3/25) antigen. Another new monoclonal antibody, MRC OX-34, labels an antigen of 50-54,000 mol wt that is expressed on rat T but not B cells or peritoneal macrophages. It was used to control for the presence of any T cell products in immunoprecipitation from rat macrophage extracts.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Jefferies
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface