Serological evidences for a membrane structure related to human β2‐microglobulin expressed by certain earthworm leukocytes

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Abstract
Indirect immunofluorescence performed with 2 polyclonal and 4 monoclonal antibodies directed against human β2‐microglobulin (β2m) revealed the presence of a β2m‐like determinant on the membrane of a subpopulation of earthworm leukocytes classified as weakly adherent acidophils. Two out of the 4 monoclonal antibodies were found to bind to 15% of the earthworm leukocytes. Similar results were obtained with antibodies specific for β2m and isolated by affinity chromatography from either polyclonal antiserum or anti‐β2m hybridoma supernatant. Additional binding inhibition and competition experiments strengthened the results and suggested that the homology between the structure present on earthworm leukocytes and human β2m may be restricted to only one major determinant. The existence of a β2m‐like molecule in earthworms may provide important clues for understanding protein evolution and basic immune mechanisms.