Mycolic acids from Mycobacterium tuberculosis: purification by countercurrent distribution and T-cell stimulation.

Bacterial cell wall lipids are recognized as immunostimulatory molecules which make an important component of vaccines against bacterial diseases. Even mycolic acids, forming the waxy outer layer of the bacilli which cause tuberculosis, have been shown to stimulate human CD4/8 double negative T-cells. The role of these cells in resistance to tuberculosis is currently still debated.

Functional characteristics of human peripheral blood alpha/betaTCR+, CD4- and CD8- double-negative (DN) T cells.

The function of human peripheral blood alpha/betaTCR positive, CD4- and CD8- double-negative T lymphocytes (DN cells) in vivo is not completely understood. The response of immunomagnetically isolated DN cells to PHA and anti-CD3 was compared to the response of single-positive (SP) CD4 and CD8 subsets. Proliferation of DN cells in response to PHA was largely independent of APC.

Specificity and function of monoclonal antibodies directed against Ewing sarcoma cells.

A selection of 16 monoclonal antibodies has been produced against a fresh Ewing's sarcoma (ES) tumor mixed with a permanent ES cell line. The majority of antibodies identify an 80-kDa molecule, which is not detected on healthy tissues except on certain cultured monocytes. One antibody recognizes the CD2 ligand MIC2 and 2 antibodies (numbers 13 and 16) define a higher-molecular-mass antigen.