Heterogeneity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells detected by monoclonal antibodies to monomorphic determinants of human Ia antigens.

The reactivity patterns of several monoclonal antibodies specific for monomorphic determinants of human Ia antigens were studied using flow cytometric techniques. We observed differential reactivity of these antibodies with human lymphoid cell lines, normal fresh human mononuclear cells, and lymphoblasts from PHA-activated cultures. The molecular heterogeneity of Ia antigens previously identified with immunochemical techniques was accompanied by heterogeneity of cell surface expression as identified by an immunofluorescent probe. The determinants identified by these anti-Ia monoclonal antibodies may provide useful markers in the isolation of cellular subpopulations responsive in the immune system.