Expression of CR2 (the C3dg/EBV receptor, CD21) on normal human peripheral blood T lymphocytes

J Immunol. 1991 Feb 1;146(3):865-9.

Abstract

The expression of CR2 (the C3dg/EBV receptor, CD21) on normal human T lymphocytes was investigated using purified peripheral blood T cells and indirect immunofluorescence with biotinylated anti-CR2 mAb and streptavidin-phycoerythrin. Thirty to 40% of normal peripheral blood T lymphocytes expressed CR2 Ag. The cells expressed three nonoverlapping epitopes of CR2. The specificity of the staining for CR2 epitopes was demonstrated by the ability of unlabeled anti-CR2 mAb but not of anti-CR1 mAb of the same isotype to compete for the binding of biotinylated anti-CR2 mAb to T cells. The intensity of staining of T lymphocytes with anti-CR2 mAb was approximately 10-fold lower than that of peripheral blood B cells. CR2 was immunoprecipitated from purified T lymphocytes as a single protein of apparent Mr 145,000. The presence of CR2 on normal human T lymphocytes suggests that the receptor may modulate the function of T cells in the immune response and the susceptibility of the cells to infection by lymphocytotropic viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD / analysis*
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / analysis
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Complement C3 / metabolism
  • Epitopes / analysis
  • Humans
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Receptors, Complement / analysis*
  • Receptors, Complement / immunology
  • Receptors, Complement 3d
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte
  • Complement C3
  • Epitopes
  • Receptors, Complement
  • Receptors, Complement 3d