CD 1-8 antigens on human diphtheria toxoid T lymphocyte clones: expression and modulation by TPA, sodium butyrate, and 5-azacytidine.

The modulation of antigen expression on the surface of TLC by different differentiation inducers as well as the inhibition of the TLC proliferative response by specific MoAbs may lead to a clarification of the role of various surface molecules studied in antigen-specific T-cell response. We investigated the expression of CD 1-8 antigens on the surface of diphtheria toxoid or varidase specific TLC with a series of MoAb. CD1 and CD8 antigens were not expressed on the proliferative TLC. CD2, CD3, CD4, and CD5 antigens were homogeneously expressed on all TLC in contrast to CD6 and CD7 antigens which were present on only a fraction of the cells in a given TLC. In functional assays, anti-CD2, anti-DR VI-15C, and anti-CD25 MoAbs blocked the proliferative response to DT and anti-CD3, anti-CD4, anti-D44 MoAbs had intermediate inhibition effects. Anti-CD5, anti-CD6, and anti-CD7 MoAbs did not inhibit the proliferative response. Surface marker analysis revealed that the expression of CD2 to CD7 antigens (and also CD25) may be modified following incubation of the TLC with TPA or sodium butyrate but not with 5-azacytidine. TPA greatly decreased the expression of CD3 and CD4 antigens after a 6-hr exposure. Preincubation of TLC cells with TPA inhibited the mitogenic effect of anti-CD3 MoAbs on TLC cells in proliferative assays, but did not inhibit their capacity to proliferate in response to DT despite low levels of CD3 and CD4.