Expression of the human T cell receptor as defined by anti-isotypic antibodies

Abstract

Anti-isotypic reagents against the human T cell receptor (TcR) were made by immunizing rabbits with peptides which correspond to sites within the constant region of the α- and β-chains. These antibodies were shown to immunoprecipitate a heterodimer of 80,000 to 90,000 m.w. that could be reduced to chains of 44,000 to 50,000 and 37,000 to 40,000 m.w. In addition, an anti-peptide serum against CD3 δ-chain was made. The anti-α peptide serum reacted with all human TcR (from phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes, cytotoxic T cell clones, and the T cell leukemias: HPB-ALL, Jurkat, JA3, and JM), and the anti-β peptide serum reacted with only human TcR of the Cβ2 isotype (from a cytotoxic T cell..