Evidence for differential expression of CD45 isoforms by precursors for memory-dependent and independent cytotoxic responses: human CD8 memory CTLp selectively express CD45RO (UCHL1).

On the basis of differential CD45 expression, human T cells can be separated into approximately reciprocal populations. The mAb UCHL1 detects a 180 kd molecular mass isoform, CD45R0. The CD45RA cluster of mAbs reacts with CD45 isoforms of 205 and 220 kd molecular mass. These reagents subdivide both CD4 and CD8 T cell populations. CD4 T cells that proliferate in response to memory-dependent (recall) antigens have been shown to selectively express CD45R0. We extend these observations to a model for cytotoxic responses that allows the functional analysis of CD8 T cells with differential CD45 expression. Precursors for allo-specific CTL responses are readily detectable in CD45R0 as well as CD45RA populations. In contrast, we find memory CTLp greatly enriched among CD45R0 cells. In combination with earlier work, these results suggest that differential expression of CD45 isoforms is associated with memory formation for different classes of immune responses in both major T cell lineages.