Expression of 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in nonlymphoid hemopoietic cell lines

Expression of 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha-SDH), a putative T cell marker, has been examined in a number of nonlymphoid hemopoietic cell lines. Both promyelocytic and stromal bone marrow lines expressed significant 20 alpha-SDH activity which was not correlated with virus infection or growth rate. 20 alpha-SDH therefore is not a unique marker for T cells in hemopoietic tissues. This result is discussed in relationship to the action of the newly proposed interleukin 3.