Lymphocyte subsets and activation antigens in a reference population: a flow cytometric study using single and double...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Transferrin receptor (TR), HLA DR antigen (DR), and OKT10 antigen are markers of activated lymphocyte populations.
• Understanding the expression patterns of these activation antigens is crucial for immunological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression levels and patterns of TR, DR, and T10 antigens on peripheral blood lymphocytes in healthy individuals.
• To determine correlations between the expression of these activation antigens and other lymphocyte surface markers or clinical variables.

Main Methods:

• Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 50 healthy adults (aged 23-60) were analyzed.
• A whole blood lysis technique and flow cytometry were used to enumerate cells expressing TR, DR, T10, and other specified antigens (T11, T4, T8, Leu 1, Leu 2a, Leu 3a, Leu 7, B1).
• Double labeling techniques were employed to assess co-expression of antigens.

Main Results:

• Mean percentages of lymphocytes expressing activation antigens were low: T10 (7.2%), TR (1.8%), and DR (8.8%), with considerable individual variability.
• No correlation was found between high expression of one activation antigen and another, nor with T11, T4, T8, Leu 1, Leu 2a, Leu 3a, or Leu 7.
• Simultaneous expression of TR/DR, Leu 2a/DR, Leu 3a/DR, and Leu 3a/Leu 2a was not normally observed in healthy individuals.
• A B1 (+) DR (-) cell population was identified in some subjects.

Conclusions:

• Activation antigen expression on lymphocytes in healthy individuals is generally low but highly variable.
• There is no apparent co-expression of common activation antigens or correlation with other T-cell markers or clinical factors in healthy subjects.
• These findings establish a baseline for activation antigen expression in a healthy population, highlighting significant individual differences.