Non HLA antigenic determinants expressed on activated T and B human lymphocytes

Human antigenic determinants present on activated T and B lymphocytes and not on resting B and T cells defined by serological studies are reported. The reactivity of 13 sera against human PBM activated by various agents was tested using microlymphocytotoxicity technique. Results showed that generally similar reactions are present on B and T blasts whatever the technique of activation (PHA, ConA, PWM, TCGF, EBV and allo activation). Absorption elution studies with 5 sera on 10 alloactivated cells clearly demonstrated their independence from DR determinants. The analysis of results obtained by these 15 sera on blasts from 50 donors showed no correlation with HLA-A, -B, -C, DR and -MB antigens, neither can it be HT (Qa-like) antigens. Furthermore, 5 clusters of sera are reported. The weak correlation coefficients cannot affirm the existence of a system with an allelic distribution although each cell except one out of a panel of 50 individuals carries at most 2 specificities. The segregation of 3 of these specificities within 5 informative families showed no linkage with HLA genes.