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T cell origin of human macromolecular insoluble cold globulin

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Abstract

THYMUS-DERIVED (T) lymphocytes are a heterogeneous cell population in terms of their function and the surface antigens they express. In the mouse, a subpopulation of sensitised T cells is cytotoxic for allogeneic or modified syngeneic target cells by virtue of recognition of histocompatability antigens, that is, H-2K and H-2D (refs 1 and 2). These cytotoxic T lymphocytes express a specific antigen of the Ly antigen series, Ly-2,3 (refs 3 and 4). Another subpopulation of T cells mediate responses in the mixed lymphocyte reaction and the graft-versus-host reaction4,5. These cells recognise immune response associated antigen (Ia) and possess another antigen of the Ly series, Ly-1 (refs 4 and 5). In addition, separate classes of T cells mediate helper and suppressor regulatory effects on antibody response and also have distinctive Ly membrane markers4,6,7. Although membrane proteins such as immunoglobulin and B-cell antigens are specific to bone marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes in humans, there are few well characterised proteins that serve to distinguish human T cells8–12. We have recently identified a glycoprotein synthesised in mouse thymocytes and splenocytes13,14. This protein has been termed macromolecular insoluble cold globulin (MICG) to describe its major physicochemical properties. It has a molecular weight of 225,000, is insoluble in the cold in non-ionic detergents and has the electrophoretic mobility of a β globulin. MICG has also been shown to be the exclusive product of T lymphocytes15. This report describes the characterisation of a similar protein in human T cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107

    STEPHEN P. HAUPTMAN & EMIN KANSU

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  1. STEPHEN P. HAUPTMAN
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  2. EMIN KANSU
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HAUPTMAN, S., KANSU, E. T cell origin of human macromolecular insoluble cold globulin. Nature 276, 393–394 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/276393a0

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