title: CDw60: a marker for human CD8+ T helper cells.
abstract: The existence of helper cells among the CD8+ T cell subset has been recognized for a long time. However, the phenotype of these cells has remained elusive. In this study, we provide evidence that the expression of the CDw60 antigen on human CD8+ T cell allows one to distinguish between CD8+ T helper cells and CD8+ T cells with cytotoxic and suppressor capacity. CDw60 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) recognize the 9-O-acetylated disialosyl group on ganglioside GD3 expressed on 20-40% of CD8+ cells. By use of the direct and indirect mAb-rosetting technique, we were able to isolate the CDw60+CD8+ and CDw60-CD8+ cells at high purity. The alloantigen-specific cytotoxic activity of CD8+ cells resided entirely in the CDw60- population. Helper and suppressor capacity of both CD8 subsets was assayed by the pokeweed mitogen-induced differentiation of B cells into immunoglobulin-secreting cells. These studies clearly indicate that the CDw60+CD8+ subset provided substantial help to B lymphocytes, whereas the CD8+ cells with the CDw60- phenotype were suppressing B cell differentiation. Both subsets produced similar amounts of interleukin 2 (IL-2) after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin. Activation with phorbol myristate acetate in combination with Ca-ionophore induced IL-4 secretion in both populations, but preferentially in the CDw60+ subset, whereas the vast majority of interferon gamma was produced by the CDw60-CD8+ cells. When used in combination with other markers, CDw60 may prove to be useful in defining CD8+ subsets with reciprocal functional activities.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunology, University of Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Rieber
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rank
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015415:Biomarkers; D016827:CD8 Antigens; C064741:CDw60 antigen; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate