Expression of Lyt-1 by a subset of B lymphocytes.

Using two-color flow cytometry and multiparameter data analysis, we have shown that the IgM bright, large subset of mouse splenic B lymphocytes express Lyt-1. This is not due to B cell uptake of immune complexes of Lyt-1 and antibody from T cells. The IgM bright cells of autoimmune NZB mice express more Lyt-1 than normal controls. This is because IgM containing plasmablasts, which are greatly increased in NZB spleens, are Lyt-1+. NZB spleen also contains more cells that are Lyt-1+ (but perhaps Lyt-1.2-), Thy-1.2 dull, and smaller in size than cells in normal mice. Thus, Lyt-1 is common to the T and B cell precursor or is induced independently during the ontogeny of T and at least one subset of B cells. We suggest that it be called Lyt-1.