Expression of human placental cell surface antigens on peripheral blood lymphocytes and lymphoblastoid cell lines.

The expression of human placental cell surface antigens was examined in cells of lymphoid origin, including peripheral blood lymphocytes and cultured lymphoblastoid cells of bone marrow or thymus derivation. A select group of this defined set of surface antigens was detected on all three cell preparations. The most remarkable observation was the conspicuous absence of three subunits previously demonstrated to be present on all human cell surfaces examined to date. Antiserum directed against several placental components prevents adhesion and spreading of cells which grow attached to surfaces. These results suggest a role for these three glycoproteins in mediating cellular adhesion.