title: Functional characterization of human T lymphocyte subsets distinguished by monoclonal anti-leu-8.
abstract: Previous studies have shown that monoclonal anti-Leu-8 antibody identifies functionally distinct subpopulations within both the Leu-2 (T8+) and Leu-3 (T4+) lineages of human T lymphocytes. We now report in detail on the tissue distribution of the Leu-8 antigen and on extensive functional studies of T cells subsets distinguished by their expression or lack of expression of this marker. Leu-8 is present on a wide variety of hematologic cells, including granulocytes, T and B lymphocytes, monocytes, and null or NK cells. Within lymph nodes and tonsils, Leu-8 is absent from both B and T cells within germinal centers but is present on nearly all paracortical lymphocytes. Leu-8 is present on most but not all EBV-transformed B cell lines, reflecting its presence on a subset of normal peripheral blood B cells. None of six malignant T cell lines tested were Leu-8+, whereas most circulating T cells are Leu-8+. Although standard immunoprecipitation techniques failed to demonstrate any specific bands on SDS polyacrylamide gels, the antigenic determinant recognized by anti-Leu-8 is protein or protein-associated, because brief treatment of target cells with pronase abrogated binding of anti-Leu-8. Both Leu-3+8+ and Leu-3+8- cells proliferated in response to several soluble antigens and to autologous and allogeneic non-T cells. Nonetheless, nearly all of the helper T cells for PWM- and AMLR-induced PFC were contained within the Leu3+8- subset. Optimal suppression of the PWM-induced PFC response required both Leu-2+8+ and Leu-2+8- cells, and irradiation of either subset with 3000 R abrogated the capacity of the recombined subsets to effect suppression. In contrast to help for B cell differentiation, both Leu-3+8+ and Leu-3+8- cells were capable of amplifying the development of allospecific T killer cells; precursor and effector T killer cells could be found within both Leu-2+8+ and Leu-2+8- subpopulations. The correlation between Leu-8 phenotype and selected immune functions of T cells (and B cells; see companion paper) indicates that anti-Leu-8 distinguishes important immunoregulatory T and B lymphocyte subsets in man.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Kansas
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Fishwild
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Engleman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000502:physiology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens