CONSTITUTIVE EXPRESSION OF A GROEL-RELATED PROTEIN ON THE SURFACE OF HUMAN GAMMA-DELTA-CELLS

Rabbit antibodies to hsp58 (P1), the human homologue of the Escherichia coli stress protein groEL, react specifically in indirect immunofluorescence and complement-dependent microcytoxicity experiments with a cell surface antigen expressed constitutively by T cell lines bearing γ/δ receptors. This anti-hsp58-reactive antigen is not demonstrable on T cells that express α/β receptors or on various cells that lack T cell receptors. Certain evidence was obtained to suggest that the target antigen on the surface ofγ/δ T cells is a −-kD protein distinct from intracellular hsp58 and known members of the hsp70 stress protein family. While the exact nature and significance of this anti-hsp58-reactive protein remain to be determined, these data may help to clarify the roles of groEIrrelated stress proteins and γ/δ cells that recognize groEL homologues in immunologic defense against infection and in autoimmune disease. © 1990, Rockefeller University Press., All rights reserved.