Strategies for the isolation of cell surface receptors of lymphoid cells

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the strategies for the isolation of cell surface receptors of lymphoid cells. The immune system is a good example of the role of cell surface receptors in biology because of the multiplicity of cell subsets and receptor function present in this system. Both the progenitors of immunoglobulin-producing plasma cells (B lymphocytes) and thymus-dependent (T) lymphocytes, which regulate T and B cells (helper/suppressor) or act as cytolytic effector cells, recognize antigen specifically via cell surface receptors. Additionally, a variety of agents affect the activity of the cell by specific interaction with surface receptors. Lectins for example, bind cell surface carbohydrates of glycoproteins and may stimulate cell division. The steps in the isolation of a typical receptor are (1) radiolabeling of cells (2) solubilization of the membrane proteins, and (3) affinity chromatography using the ligand or an anti-receptor antibody. Once a receptor has been isolated and antibody to the receptor prepared, future work generally has involved receptor characterization.