Purification of soluble human T lymphocyte receptors for sheep erythrocytes.

Using a polyclonal heterologous anti-soluble E-receptor serum, we identified molecules of molecular weight circa 58,000 and 150,000. The soluble receptor molecule with molecular weight of approximately 58,000 (Rs1) was initially purified from supernatant of heated lymphocytes through chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and/or DEAE-cellulose. The soluble receptor molecule with molecular weight of approximately 150,000 (Rs2) is detected at high levels in the serum of patients with cancer and uremia. Rs1 and Rs2 present in serum from cancer patients were purified by chromatography on Sephadex G-200 and by affinity chromatography using anti-Rs1 IgG. 131I-labelled supernatant of heated lymphocytes binds to sheep erythrocytes and the elution and analysis of the molecules adsorbed showed bands of molecular weights approximately 58,000 and 150,000, confirming the receptor activity of these molecules.