Endothelial monocyte antigens in man.

A group of antigens expressed in endothelial cells and monocytes, but not detectable in either T or B lymphocytes, has been the object of ongoing studies. The antibodies were not removed by absorption with platelets or B lymphocytes and were readily eliminated after absorption with monocytes or endothelial cells. Stripping with rabbit anti-human beta2-microglobulin made endothelial cells or monocytes resistant to lysis by endothelial-monocyte antibodies. Thus, endothelial monocyte antigens may be associated with beta2-microglobulin and are distinct from HLA-DR in this regard. Family studies suggest that most, but not all, monocyte-specific reactions segregated in linkage with HLA.