Evolutionary conservation of surface molecules that distinguish T lymphocyte helper/inducer and cytotoxic/suppressor subpopulations in mouse and man

We describe the biochemical properties and cell surface distributions of three human T cell antigens (Leu-1, Leu-2a, and Leu-2b) which we postulate to be the homologues of the Lyt-1, Lyt-2, and Lyt-3 antigens that distinguish functional T cell subsets in the mouse. Leu-l, like Lyt-1, is on all thymocytes and peripheral T cells and is present in greater amounts on the helper/inducer subset than on the cytotoxic/suppressor subset. Both antigens increase in parallel fashion during T cell maturation in the thymus and each antigen is carried on a single 67,000-molecular weight (relative) (M(r)) polypeptide chain. Surprisingly, Leu-1 and Lyt-1 each are also expressed in readily detectable amounts on some B celI Ieukemias but not detectably so on normal B cells. Leu-2a and Leu-2b are antigens found only on suppressor/cytotoxic cells in the human and are very similar to the murine Lyt-2 and Lyt-3 antigens. In both species, the two antigens are on the same disulfide- linked multimeric molecules. Disulfide-bond reduction in both species yields subunits of similar size and charge. Lyt-3 and Leu-2b are extremely sensitive to trypsin digestion on viable cells whereas Lyt-2 and Leu-2a are much less so. A different membrane antigen, Leu-3, is an exclusive marker of the helper/inducer subset in man. No mouse homologue for this 55,000-M(r) protein is known. The maintenance of the homologous molecules on functionally distinct T cell subpopulations in two evolutionarily distant species suggests that the Lyt and Leu antigens perform essential functions for the cells on which they are found.

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Studies on T-cell subsets in atopic dermatitis: Human T-cell subpopulations defined by specific monoclonal antibodies

Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology ◽

10.1016/0090-1229(82)90030-7 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 139-146 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Michael R. Faure ◽

Jean F. Nicolas ◽

Jean Thivolet ◽

Martine A. Gaucherand ◽

Janusz M. Czernielewski

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Monoclonal Antibodies ◽

T Cell ◽

T Cell Subsets ◽

Human T Cell ◽

Cell Subpopulations ◽

T Cell Subpopulations

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T cell subsets defined by expression of Lyt-1,2,3 and Thy-1 antigens. Two-parameter immunofluorescence and cytotoxicity analysis with monoclonal antibodies modifies current views.

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.152.2.280 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 152 (2) ◽

pp. 280-295 ◽

Cited By ~ 362

Author(s):

J A Ledbetter ◽

R V Rouse ◽

H S Micklem ◽

L A Herzenberg

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Monoclonal Antibodies ◽

Lymph Node ◽

T Cell ◽

T Cell Subsets ◽

Quantitative Expression ◽

Cell Subpopulations ◽

Spleen And Lymph Nodes ◽

T Cell Subpopulations ◽

T Cell Maturation

Using monoclonal antibodies and multiparameter fluorescence analyses, we show that the expression of Lyt-1, Lyt-2, and Lyt-3 on T cell subpopulations is more complex than was originally recognized by the cytotoxic depletion studies with conventional reagents that defined the Lyt-1+2+3+, Lyt-1+2-3-, and Lyt-1-2+3+ populations. We detect at least some Lyt-1 on all T (Thy-1-bearing) lymphocytes; however, in agreement with previous studies, we find that Lyt-2+3+ cells are more difficult to depelete with anti-Lyt-1 than Lyt-1+2-3- cells. Surprisingly, we found a small subpopulation of cells carrying relatively large amounts of Lyt-1 and no Thy-1 detectable by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. We also detect cells with this phenotype histologically in B cell zones (primary follicles) and germinal centers in spleen and lymph nodes. In general, the Lyt-1 only population represents approximately 2% of spleen cells. The relative quantitative expression of Thy-1, Lyt-1, Lyt-2, and Lyt-3 changes systematically during T cell maturation. Among Lyt-1+2+3+ cells in the thymus, Thy-1 and Lyt-2 are high, whereas Lyt-1 is low. Among splenic T cells, in contrast, Thy-1 is low, Lyt-1 is high, and Lyt-2 and Lyt-3 are a little higher than in thymus. In general, Thy-1 expression is negatively correlated with Lyt-1. Thus, even among splenic and lymph node T cells subpopulations exist that tend to be either high Thy-1 and low Lyt-1 or vice versa. Lyt-2+3+ cells represent approximately 85% of thymocytes but only approximately 35% of splenic or lymph node T cells. The Lyt-2+3+ cells are found predominantly in the low Lyt-1, high Thy-1 subpopulation.

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