Studies on the cytophilic properties of human beta2 microglobulin.

Human beta2 microglobulin is cytophilic for mouse, rat, and to a lesser extent guinea pig lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes but not for human, rabbit, chicken, frog, and turtle cells, nor for any mature erythrocytes tested. Mouse splenic lymphocytes bind 5- 7-fold more beta2 microblobulin than thymocytes although hydrocortisone-resistant thymocytes resemble spleen cells in this regard. The beta2 microglobulin binding by B and T cells in mouse spleen is similar. The structure responsible for beta2 microglobulin binding to the surface of cells is distinct from the Fc receptor specific for aggregated IgG.