A monoclonal anti-pan-T-cell antibody. In vitro and in vivo studies

A murine monoclonal antihuman T cell antibody is described that is pan-T in that it reacts with all T cells, including those from thymus, but not with B cells or other cells, except for a small subpopulation of null cells. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that the antigen detected is a glycoprotein, Mr 50,000 daltons, in which sialic acid, alpha-fucose and alpha-mannose are the important terminal or subterminal carbohydrates. Further analysis indicated that the antigen is the E-rosette-forming-cell (ERFC) receptor or a closely associated structure. Three patients with renal allograft rejection were treated with the pan-T cell monoclonal antibody and, although the antibody was in excess and bound to circulating T cells, no lasting effect on T cell numbers or graft rejection was noted.