Heterogeneity of the first cluster of differentiation: characterization and epitopic mapping of three CD1 molecules on normal human thymus cells.

In humans, the presence of two non-HLA class 1-like molecules, whose expression, similar to murine Tla, is restricted to cortical thymocytes, has been shown with monoclonal antibodies defining the first cluster of differentiation (CD1). We report here with the use of 12 anti-CD1 antibodies and a combination of technical approaches, the characterization of a third CD1 molecule. We show that we can presently define seven different epitopes on the three CD1 molecules: four epitopes are restricted to the 49,000 dalton molecule, two epitopes to the 45,000 dalton molecule, and one epitope to the 43,000 dalton molecule. We show that the association of the newly identified 45,000 dalton heavy chain with human beta2-microglobulin is weak. In addition we show the presence of a fourth non-HLA class I molecular species on the surface of normal human thymus cells.