A novel cell surface antigen, 4C8, is expressed on human eosinophils

Yasutaka Aoyama1, Takahisa Yamane, Masayuki Hino

  • 1Department of Clinical Hematology, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan.

Cytometry
|February 22, 2002
PubMed

Insights

A novel monoclonal antibody, anti-4C8, identifies a new cell surface antigen on human peripheral eosinophils. This discovery provides a valuable marker for distinguishing eosinophils from neutrophils in research and clinical settings.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • A novel monoclonal antibody, anti-4C8, recognizes human peripheral lymphocytes and monocytes.
  • The 4C8 antigen is not expressed on neutrophils.
  • The expression of 4C8 on human peripheral eosinophils was previously uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of the 4C8 antigen on human peripheral eosinophils.
  • To determine if 4C8 can serve as a specific marker for eosinophils.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry was used to analyze 4C8 antigen expression on eosinophils.
  • Western blotting was employed for molecular analysis of the 4C8 antigen in eosinophils.
  • Eosinophils were purified from peripheral blood for detailed analysis.

Main Results:

  • The 4C8 antigen is expressed on CD16-negative granulocytes, which include eosinophils.
  • Flow cytometry confirmed anti-4C8 antibody reactivity with purified human eosinophils.
  • Western blotting detected a single 80 kDa band for the 4C8 antigen in eosinophil lysates.
  • A strong correlation (r = 0.91, P < 0.0001) was observed between eosinophil percentage and 4C8-positive/CD16-negative cells.

Conclusions:

  • The novel 4C8 cell surface antigen is demonstrably expressed on human peripheral eosinophils.
  • 4C8 represents a valuable new marker for identifying human eosinophils, aiding in their differentiation from neutrophils.
Abstract