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Human leukocyte function-associated antigens on lympho-hemopoietic precursor cells
European Journal of Immunology
|May 1, 1986
Summary
Human leukocyte function-associated antigens (HLFA) are present on most thymocytes but absent on early bone marrow B cell precursors. HLFA expression appears at the pre-B cell stage, indicating potential therapeutic applications for anti-HLFA antibodies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human leukocyte function-associated antigens (HLFA), analogous to murine LFA-1, play roles in immune cell interactions.
- Understanding HLFA expression on early hematopoietic cells is crucial for assessing its therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of HLFA on early lympho-hemopoietic cells in infant thymus and bone marrow.
- To determine the stage-specific appearance of HLFA on developing B cells and myeloid precursors.
Main Methods:
- Double immunofluorescence assays were employed to detect HLFA.
- Cell sorting techniques were utilized to isolate specific cell populations.
- Colony-forming assays assessed the functional capacity of hematopoietic precursors.
Main Results:
- The majority of thymocytes, including TdT-positive blast cells, express HLFA.
- Early B cell precursors in bone marrow (TdT-positive) are largely HLFA-negative, with expression emerging at the pre-B cell stage.
- Early myeloid cells were enriched in the HLFA-negative fraction, and erythroid cells were HLFA-negative from the burst-forming unit stage.
Conclusions:
- HLFA expression is differentially regulated during early lympho-hemopoiesis.
- Anti-HLFA antibodies may offer therapeutic benefits by modulating T and NK cell functions without impeding precursor cell development.