Human Cell Membrane Components Dominant in T Cell Lineage: Identification and Characterization of Human TL-Like Antigens

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Abstract
Cell membrane components that contain β2-microglobulin were purified from cells of a human T cell-type leukemia cell line, HPB-ALL. They contained membrane components that have the same molecular size and the same subunit structure as HLA(A,B,C) antigens but are separable from the typical β2-microglobulin-containing cell membrane components, i.e., the HLA(A,B,C) antigens, by xenoantibody reagents. A sensitive radioimmunoassay was constructed for detection of the T cell membrane components. The assay revealed that the cell membrane components are expressed exclusively on cells of T cell-type leukemia cell lines among the human lymphoid cell lines tested, predominantly in thymus, among the human organs and tissues tested. They were not present on cells of human B cell-type cell lines or on cells of nonlymphoid organs and tissues. No alloantibodies directed to the T cell membrane components, the putative human homologues of mouse TL antigens, were found in any of the human tissue typing sera tested.