[Kinetics of the appearance of HLA-DR antigens on human alloactivated T lymphocytes and the demonstration of new antigenic determinants]

Abstract

By studying serologically the appearance of HLA-DR determinants on T lymphocytes activated by a mixed lymphocyte culture, we have been able to demonstrate the existence of a new class of antigenic determinants distinct from classical HLA-DR antigens. Indeed, some monospecific anti-DR sera were cytotoxic from some alloactivated T cells, though not directed against their HLA-DR specificity. The absorption of these anti-sera on B lymphocytes bearing the HLA-DR antigen against which they were directed, did not remove their reactivity on alloactivated T lymphocytes. The absorption of the same anti-sera on activated T lymphocytes did not affect their anti-DR reactivity. This study shows the existence of new antigenic determinants expressed by T lymphocytes during their activation: alloactivated T lymphocyte antigens (AATL).