A molecular approach delineating surface markers on human T-lymphocytes.

Abstract

Isolation of human T-cell antigens is an important step in the biological characterization of T-cell subpopulations bearing these distinctive antigens. Since the outer plasma membranes of T-lymphocytes exhibit an array of protein markers, heterologous antisera raised against intact T-cells usually yield multiple antibodies against each of these cell surface constituents (1–6). These antisera can be rendered pecific for T-lymphocytes by repeated adsorptions; however, even adsorbed T-cell specific sera may be comprised of antibodies for more than one T-cell differentiation antigen (5,7). Monovalent antisera reacting with immuno-chemically purified surface antigens will be increasingly important for biological studies of human T-cells.