Detection of the human T lymphocyte soluble receptor for sheep erythrocytes by double gel diffusion.

An anti-human T lymphocyte serum specific to the membrane receptor for sheep erythrocytes (E) was produced by immunizing sheep with the autologous E-soluble E receptor complex. The soluble E receptor (RS) was obtained by heating human lymphocytes at 45 degrees C for 1 h. The anti-RS serum reacted by double gel diffusion with preparations containing Rs such as the supernatant of heated peripheral lymphocytes (SHPL), the supernatant of heated spleen lymphocytes (SHSL) and concentrated normal human serum (NHSc), producing a single precipitation line with each preparation. The pattern obtained was that of total identify. The reactivity of SHPL, SHSL or NHSc was abolished by previous absorption with 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide-treated E. Anti-RS serum also did not react with the supernatant of heated cells such as HeLa cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes which do not have exposed E receptors.