THE MURINE MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY, 14A2.H1, IDENTIFIES A NOVEL PLATELET SURFACE-ANTIGEN

A murine monoclonal antibody 14A2.H1, raised against acute myeloid leukaemia cells, identifies a previously undescribed 27 kDa platelet surface glycoprotein which is expressed at low copy number (10(3)/platelet). MAb 14A2.H1 caused aggregation of platelets which was dependent on Fc-gamma-RII. Binding of the antibody to platelets was not altered by activation by thrombin or phorbol ester. In haemopoietic cell populations the antibody bound to megakaryocytes, monocytes (weakly), several myeloid leukaemic cell lines and fresh myeloid leukaemic blasts from some patients. Lymphocytes, lymphoid cell lines, neutrophils and haemopoietic progenitor cells were negative. Expression of the antigen was not restricted to haemopoietic cells as epithelial cells in tonsillar crypts and endothelial cells were positive.