MHC class I and class I-like gene product expression by malignant T cells: relationships between CD1a, HLA-ABC and beta 2-microglobulin.

Beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) forms the invariant light chain of the MHC-encoded HLA-ABC and the non-MHC-encoded CD1 molecules. While HLA-ABC (MHC Class I) molecules are virtually ubiquitous in tissue distribution, CD1 determinants by contrast are more restricted. We have assessed, by indirect immunoenzymeassay, the relative membrane densities of these molecules on malignant thymic and post-thymic T cells. It was found that the T cells of mature post-thymic proliferations expressed significantly more beta 2m-associated protein, predominantly HLA-ABC in nature, than thymic-ALL blasts. This parallels the situation found in normal peripheral T cells and thymocytes. In contrast to post-thymic T cells, thymic-ALL blasts showed considerable case to case variation with respect to non-HLA-associated beta 2m and, of particular interest, not all of this excess beta 2m could be accounted for by CD1a. We therefore conclude that other beta 2m-containing molecules may be expressed on thymic-ALL blasts and possibly also on post-thymic leukaemic T cells. In addition, it was found that T cells from CD4+ cases of post-thymic proliferations expressed more beta 2m-associated determinants than other T cells, whether of either normal or malignant origin, and that certain post-thymic malignancies express significantly increased levels of beta 2m-associated protein relative to normal peripheral T-cells. This is in direct contrast to the situation seen in many solid malignancies.