Anti-CD3 antibody-induced lymphocyte proliferation: a new tool for the prenatal diagnosis of some inherited immune deficiencies.

We have compared anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody-induced proliferation of T lymphocytes from normal human fetuses and neonates with that of adult T cells. In contrast to data in the literature, we consistently observed a strong proliferative response during antenatal and perinatal life. A lack of anti-CD3-induced proliferation, despite normal responses to the mitogen phytohemaglutinin, may prove to be a useful criterion in the diagnosis of some ill-defined inherited immune deficiencies.