Analysis of CD3-associated molecules in CD4- 8- human T cell clones lacking the typical alpha/beta T cell receptor

Four clones were isolated from CD3+ 4- 8- normal peripheral blood T lymphocytes. They lacked expression of the typical alpha/beta T cell receptor, as assessed by reactivity with the WT31 monoclonal antibody (mAb) recognizing a non-polymorphic structure of the alpha/beta heterodimer. All the four clones lysed the natural killer-sensitive K562 target cells and released interleukin-2 following stimulation with phytohemagglutinin. After cell treatment with the cross-linking agent dithiobis-succinimidyl-propionate, molecules immunoprecipitated with an anti-CD3 mAb were represented by a major 45-kD and a minor 43-kD band. These molecules were different from typical alpha/beta molecules and are likely to represent the molecular product of the human gamma gene.