Absence of OKT4-positive lymphocytes in black African subjects.

Some black Africans whose lymphocytes lack the OKT4 surface antigen, but which react with other monoclonal antibodies recognizing the human inducer T-cell subset are described. In addition, three members of a family showed lymphocytes which reacted weakly with the OKT4 antibody but reacted normally with the other monoclonal antibodies. Mitogen-induced proliferation of these cells as well as their ability to assist B lymphocytes to mature into antibody-producing cells was normal. Although the mode of inheritance of these variants of the OKT4 epitope cannot yet be determined, it appears as though these polymorphisms are not uncommon in black Africans.