title: Characterization of a human B cell-specific antigen (B2) distinct from B1.
abstract: A human B lymphocyte-specific antigen (B2) was identified and characterized by the use of a monoclonal antibody. By indirect immunofluorescence and quantitative absorption, B2 was shown to be expressed exclusively on Ig+ B cells isolated from peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues. In contrast, B2 was not found on monocytes, resting and activated T cells, Null cells, or granulocytes, nor was it found on cell lines or tumor cells of T cell or myeloid origin. Functional studies demonstrated that only B2 antigen-positive splenocytes could be induced to differentiate into plasma cells under the stimulus of pokeweed mitogen, further confirming the B cell specificity of B2. It was then demonstrated that the B2 antigen was distinct from the previously described B cell-surface determinants including surface immunoglobulin, Ia-like antigens, and Fc and C3 receptors. More importantly, the B2 antigen has been clearly shown to be distinct from the previously described B cell-specific antigen, B1, by its m.w. and expression on normal and malignant B lymphocytes. The distinct distribution of B2 on normal and malignant lymphocytes supports the notion of B cell heterogeneity and provides further evidence for existence of subpopulations of human B lymphocytes.
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D000941:Antigens / Q000145:classification*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D011817:Rabbits; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000276:immunology; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D000939:Epitopes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D011961:Receptors, Fc