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Surface alloantigens of plasma cells
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|June 1, 1970
Summary
Immunoglobulin-producing cells lack thymocyte antigens but express new PC.1 alloantigens, distinct from the thymocyte-lymphocyte axis. This suggests immunoglobulin cells may not derive from thymic lymphocytes or undergo significant surface changes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Immunoglobulin-producing cells and thymocyte-lymphocyte axis cells possess distinct surface markers.
- Previous studies have not fully characterized the alloantigens on immunoglobulin-producing cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize cell surface alloantigens on normal and malignant immunoglobulin-forming cells in mice.
- To compare these alloantigens with those of the thymocyte-lymphocyte axis.
Main Methods:
- Serological studies using alloantisera.
- Analysis of antigen expression on various cell types (thymocytes, lymphocytes, immunoglobulin-producing cells, organ cells).
- Genetic analysis of the PC.1 alloantigen system.
Main Results:
- Immunoglobulin-forming cells lack TL, theta, Ly-A, Ly-B, and MSLA antigens.
- These cells express H-2 and a novel alloantigen system, PC (Plasma cell antigen), specified by the Pca gene.
- PC.1 alloantigen is present on immunoglobulin-producing cells and various normal tissues but absent from thymocytes and leukemias.
Conclusions:
- PC.1 is a differentiation alloantigen unique to immunoglobulin-producing cells.
- The distinct alloantigen profiles suggest immunoglobulin-producing cells are not derived from thymic lymphocytes or undergo substantial surface modification during differentiation.