MLC-conditioned media stimulate an increase in Fc receptors on human macrophages

Macrophage Fc receptors (FcR) are essential for antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and for optimal phagocytosis of opsonized particulate antigens. Culture in the presence of conditioned medium from mixed leukocyte cultures (MLC-CM) resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase (up to 10-fold) in FcR-dependent binding of 125I-labeled IgG1 to promyelocytic HL-60 cells, macrophage-like U-937 cells, and normal cultured human monocytes. FcR increase in HL-60 cells was blocked by cycloheximide (100 microM) and was accompanied by a slight decrease in binding affinity. Since cell volume did not change, the increase in FcR probably represents an increase in the surface density of FcR sites. MLC-CM prepared with or without serum were equally effective in augmenting FcR sites, whereas only serum-containing MLC-CM caused morphologic change of U-937 and HL-60 cells.     

Cytotoxic activities of normal cultured human T cells.

Normal human T cells grown in continued cultures in medium containing conditioned medium (CM) from PHA-stimulated lymphocytes were studied for their ability to manifest three known forms of cell-mediated cytotoxicity: lectin-induced cellular cytotoxicity (LICC), natural killer cell (NK) activity, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The cultured T cells (CTC) were very effective mediators of LICC, being cytotoxic even at very low attacker-target cell ratios in the presence of different lectins, and against different types of targets. When tested without the addition of lectin, the CTC demonstrated a low degree of spontaneous cytotoxicity. This spontaneous cytotoxicity might not be due to conventional NK cells however, since the CTC failed to show significant numbers of cells with Fc receptors (FcR) for IgG, and had no detectable ADCC activity. CTC could represent a population enriched in polyclonal activated T cells with low spontaneous cytotoxicity against a variety of allogeneic target cells, which is greatly enhanced by the addition of lectins dur ing the 51Cr release assay.     

Induction of proliferation in vitro of resting human natural killer cells: expression of surface activation antigens

In this report, we show that resting human peripheral blood NK cells, positively enriched with antibody B73.1, can be induced to proliferate in vitro in short-term cultures, and newly express membrane activation antigens. B73.1+ NK cells, cultured for 6 days in the presence of conditioned medium containing IL 2 and irradiated B lymphoblastoid cells, show significant [3H]TdR incorporation beginning on day 4. At that time, a large proportion of the cells express HLA-DR and 4F2 antigens, and transferrin and IL 2 receptors, all detectable at high density by indirect immunofluorescence with the use of monoclonal antibodies. These cells maintain their ability to lyse target cells spontaneously or in the presence of antibodies. By two-color immunofluorescence and cell cycle analysis combined with indirect immunofluorescence, we demonstrate directly that the activation antigens are expressed on all NK (B73.1+) cells in the S/G2/M phases of the cell cycle, and on only a proportion of those in the G0/G1 phases.     

Accessory function and interleukin 1 production by human leukemic cell lines

Highly purified T lymphocytes do not proliferate in response to mitogens, unless adherent HLA-DR-positive monocytes are added to the culture. This accessory function (AF) of monocytes requires the release of interleukin 1 (IL 1). Cells from three human leukemic cell lines, K562, HL60, and U937, could very efficiently replace monocytes in a 72-hr mitogen-induced T cell proliferation assay. The AF was clearly related to precise maturational stages of these cells; the hematopoietic precursor K562 cells spontaneously exerted high AF, but lost this property when treated with differentiation inducers. On the contrary, the promyelocytic HL60 cells and the "histiocytic" U937 cells exhibited no spontaneous AF, but acquired this property when induced to differentiate along the granulocytic and/or monocytic pathway. Three leukemic cells could not only stimulate T cells to proliferate and produce IL 2 in the presence of mitogens, but also under appropriate culture conditions these cells could produce IL 1, which could not be distinguished from normal human monocyte derived IL 1 by gel filtration and isoelectric focusing. Moreover, analysis of phenotypic markers revealed that AF and production of IL 1 could be demonstrated in different cell types and therefore are not restricted to the monocytic lineage. No HLA-DR antigen could be detected on K562 and HL60 cells. Thus, the expression of the DR antigens is not required for AF and IL 1 production in response to mitogens. These three human leukemic cell lines will provide convenient sources of human IL 1.     

Identification of a new squamous cell differentiation marker and its suppression by retinoids.

Rabbit tracheobronchial epithelial cells (RbTE) can undergo squamous cell differentiation under defined culture conditions and, therefore, have been used as a model to study the regulation of squamous cell differentiation markers. In the present study, we identified a 20-kDa protein, designated rSQ20, in the serum-free growth medium conditioned by RbTE cells undergoing squamous cell differentiation. The protein was also found in extracts of squamous differentiated cells. rSQ20 was labeled by cells incubated with [35S]methionine but not with [3H]glucosamine, suggesting that it is not a glycoprotein. Undifferentiated cells did not produce this protein. rSQ20 was detected in the conditioned medium of RbTE cells after they reached a confluent and growth-arrested state, and thereafter its level increased markedly and concurrently with an increase in type I (epidermal) transglutaminase, an established marker of squamous cell differentiation. rSQ20 found in concentrated conditioned medium of squamous differentiated RbTE cells was eluted from a gel filtration column as a protein of 20 kDa, similar to that found by gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, suggesting that it is not a multimeric protein. A protein with an apparent molecular weight of 16 kDa (rSQ16), probably the product of partial proteolysis of rSQ20, was often found in various amounts in the conditioned medium of differentiated RbTE cells. beta-All-trans retinoic acid and other vitamin A analogues (retinoids), which suppress squamous cell differentiation, inhibited the expression of rSQ20 in RbTE cells. RbTE cells immortalized by transfection with SV40 large T antigen as well as malignantly transformed derivatives obtained from the immortalized cells by further transfection with v-Ha-ras secreted SQ20 and SQ16 when grown to high cell densities although their squamous differentiation was impaired. An analogous protein with an apparent molecular weight of 16 kDa, designated hSQ16, was detected in the medium of differentiated normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). No such protein could be detected in the medium in which undifferentiated NHBE or NHEK cells were grown. These results suggest that rSQ20 and hSQ16 are new markers of squamous cell differentiation.     

中脑神经前体细胞的体外分离、培养和特性

为了解中脑神经前体细胞的体外培养特性和建立中脑神经前体细胞的体外分化调控机制提供细胞模型。本实验采用含有丝分裂源表皮生长因子(EGF)的无血清培养基培养来源于大鼠胚胎E14.5天的中脑神经前体细胞,应用免疫细胞化学方法了解其前体细胞特性。结果发现中脑神经前体细胞呈神经前体细胞特征性标记Nestin免疫染色阳性,无分化细胞标记;细胞克隆实验证实中脑神经前体细 胞有自我更新能力;在EGF刺激下增殖迅速;当撤去EGF后置于含胎牛血清的培养基和被覆多聚赖氨酸(PLL)的培养皿内,中脑神经前体细胞可分化成神经元和星形胶质细胞。本试验证明我们培养的中脑神经前体细胞具有增殖、自我更新能力和多向分化潜能特性。     

Control of cell differentiation during proliferation. I. Monocytic differentiation of HL-60 promyelocytes

The cell proliferation relating an uncommitted precursor cell to a differentiated terminal cell has been quantitated. HL-60 promyelocytes, a bipotent precursor cell capable of differentiating along either the myeloid or monocytic pathway, were induced by a human lymphocyte-conditioned medium (CM) to differentiate into macrophage-like cells. The promyelocytes had a generation time of approx. 42 h. Most promyelocytes which differentiated became macrophage-like cells after only one cell division. Some, a minority, underwent more than one division. The time between induction of differentiation and expression of differentiated characteristics could thus be very short. Labelled S-phase promyelocytes could differentiate after traversing S. G2 and undergoing mitosis. Some, approx. 21%, required a subsequent complete cell cycle before differentiating. The data suggest a model in which cells must undergo a S-phase-specific differentiation control event in the presence of CM in order to differentiate in the subsequent G1 phase. This model proposes that a discrete time in S phase exists when cells are susceptible to exogenous regulation directing them to yield differentiated daughter cells.     

Detection of HLA-DRw (Ia-like) antigens on human T lymphocytes grown in tissue culture.

Human T lymphocytes that proliferate in the presence of conditioned medium from PHA-stimulated allogeneic peripheral blood cells were shown to express IPA antigens after the 8th culture day. Ia antigens as detected by xenogeneic antisera were present on 80 to 90% of the cultured cells which were also strongly reactive with xenogeneic antisera defining a human T cell antigen and formed E rosettes. Control cultures with PHA or no conditioned medium expressed T cell but not Ia antigens. These cultured T cells also express the same HLA-DRw determinants as the B cells of the donor they were derived from. Absorption of xenogeneic Ia, and HLA-DRw alloantisera with cultured T cells completely removed the reactivity of these sera for enriched peripheral blood B lymphocytes from normal donors.     

Isolation and characterization of human trophoblast side-population (SP) cells in primary villous cytotrophoblasts and HTR-8/SVneo cell line

Recently, numerous studies have identified that immature cell populations including stem cells and progenitor cells can be found among "side-population" (SP) cells. Although SP cells isolated from some adult tissues have been reported elsewhere, isolation and characterization of human trophoblast SP remained to be reported. In this study, HTR-8/SVneo cells and human primary villous cytotrophoblasts (vCTBs) were stained with Hoechst 33342 and SP and non-SP (NSP) fractions were isolated using a cell sorter. A small population of SP cells was identified in HTR-8/SVneo cells and in vCTBs. SP cells expressed several vCTB-specific markers and failed to express syncytiotrophoblast (STB) or extravillous cytotrophopblast (EVT)-specific differentiation markers. SP cells formed colonies and proliferated on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder cells or in MEF conditioned medium supplemented with heparin/FGF2, and they also showed long-term repopulating property. SP cells could differentiate into both STB and EVT cell lineages and expressed several differentiation markers. Microarray analysis revealed that IL7R and IL1R2 were exclusively expressed in SP cells and not in NSP cells. vCTB cells sorted as positive for both IL7R and IL1R2 failed to express trophoblast differentiation markers and spontaneously differentiated into both STB and EVT in basal medium. These features shown by the SP cells suggested that IL7R and IL1R2 are available as markers to detect the SP cells and that vCTB progenitor cells and trophoblast stem cells were involved in the SP cell population.     

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity effector cells lack Ia antigens.

Surface immunoglobulin (sIg)-positive and sIg-negative subpopulations of macrophage-depleted murine splenic lymphocytes were obtained by Sephadex anti-Fab immunoabsorbent fractionation. These lymphocyte subpopulations were analyzed for the presence of Thy 1 and Ia alloantigens and also for Fc receptors by fluorescence microscopy. Concurrently, these lymphocyte subpopulations were studied for effector cell activity in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Effector cells mediating ADCC were contained in the sIg-negative lymphocyte subpopulation and sIg-positive lymphocytes did not mediate cytotoxicity. The majority of sIg-positive lymphocytes were found to bear Ia antigens and Fc receptors, and these cell surface structures were associated in that treatment of these cells with anti-Ia sera inhibited binding of complexed immunoglobulin to Fc receptors. In contrast, most sIg-negative, Thy 1-negative lymphocytes lacked Ia Antigens, and the Fc receptors detected on such cells were not blocked by anti-Ia sera. In addition, a small subpopulation of sIg-negative, Ia antigen-positive, Fc receptor-positive lymphocytes was found. Elimination of this subpopulation of Ia antigen-positive cells from sIg-negative lymphocytes, by treatment with anti-Ia serum and complement, did not diminish ADCC effector cell activity in the resultant cell population when compared with untreated sIg-negative lymphocytes. Thus, in murine spleen, nonphagocytic mononuclear cells that lack both sIg and Ia antigens were shown to mediate ADCC.     

FGF4-dependent stem cells derived from rat blastocysts differentiate along the trophoblast lineage

Differentiated trophoblast cell lineages arise from trophoblast stem (TS) cells. To date such a stem cell population has only been established in the mouse. The objective of this investigation was to establish TS cell populations from rat blastocysts. Blastocysts were cultured individually on a feeder layer of rat embryonic fibroblasts (REFs) in fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF4) and heparin supplemented culture medium. Once cell colonies were established REF feeder layers could be replaced with REF conditioned medium. The blastocyst-derived cell lines, in either proliferative or differentiated states, did not express genes indicative of ICM-derived tissues. In the proliferative state the cells expressed established stem cell-associated markers of TS cells. Cells ceased proliferation and differentiated when FGF4, heparin, and REF conditioned medium were removed. Differentiation was characterized by a decline of stem cell-associated marker gene expression, the appearance of large polyploid cells (trophoblast giant cells), and the expression of trophoblast differentiation-associated genes. Collectively, the data indicate that the rat blastocyst-derived cell lines not only possess many features characteristic of mouse TS cells but also possess some distinct properties. These rat TS cell lines represent valuable new in vitro models for analyses of mechanisms controlling TS cell renewal and differentiation.     

E-rosette receptors induced by phytohemagglutinin on human K cells expressing T-cell surface antigens.

Killer cells (K cells) enriched from human blood mononuclear cells which mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) were examined for surface markers. Sixty-seven percent of the E-rosette-negative, sIg-negative cells reacted with anti-T cell serum (AMT) previously shown to react with immunochemically defined T-cell antigens. Phytohemagglutinin induced 25% of K cells to express an E-rosette receptor. When these induced cells were isolated, greater than 98% reacted with AMT and 17% expressed the Fc receptor for IgG. Furthermore, they retained their functional capacity in ADCC. These findings demonstrate that an E-rosette receptor can be induced on human K cells. The data suggest the K-cell fraction included a population of thymus-dependent lymphocytes which can function as effector cells in ADCC.     

Ensheathing cell-conditioned medium directs the differentiation of human umbilical cord blood cells into aldynoglial phenotype cells

Despite their similarities to bone marrow precursor cells (PC), human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) PCs are more immature and, thus, they exhibit greater plasticity. This plasticity is evident by their ability to proliferate and spontaneously differentiate into almost any cell type, depending on their environment. Moreover, HUCB-PCs yield an accessible cell population that can be grown in culture and differentiated into glial, neuronal and other cell phenotypes. HUCB-PCs offer many potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in the area of neural replacement. We sought to induce the differentiation of HUCB-PCs into glial cells, known as aldynoglia. These cells can promote neuronal regeneration after lesion and they can be transplanted into areas affected by several pathologies, which represents an important therapeutic strategy to treat central nervous system damage. To induce differentiation to the aldynoglia phenotype, HUCB-PCs were exposed to different culture media. Mononuclear cells from HUCB were isolated and purified by identification of CD34 and CD133 antigens, and after 12 days in culture, differentiation of CD34+ HUCB-PCs to an aldynoglia phenotypic, but not that of CD133+ cells, was induced in ensheathing cell (EC)-conditioned medium. Thus, we demonstrate that the differentiation of HUCB-PCs into aldynoglia cells in EC-conditioned medium can provide a new source of aldynoglial cells for use in transplants to treat injuries or neurodegenerative diseases.     

Expression of HLA-DR, MB, MT and SB antigens on human mononuclear cells: identification of two phenotypically distinct monocyte populations

The expression of HLA-DR, SB, MB, and MT antigens in different populations of human mononuclear cells was investigated with the use of monoclonal antibodies that recognize distinct human Ia-like antigens. Our results indicate that in man, as previously reported in other species, two phenotypically distinct populations of monocytes or macrophages can be identified on the basis of expression of Class II MHC antigens. Virtually all circulating monocytes displayed determinants associated with HLA-DR, SB, and MT. In addition, a subpopulation of human monocytes expressed MB/DS-associated antigens, as detected with monoclonal antibodies specific for MB1, MB3, and DS-framework determinants. Most B lymphocytes expressed antigens associated with HLA-DR, and the specificities SB2, SB3, MB1, MB3, MT2, and MT3 were also present. Resting T lymphocytes were unreactive with antibodies that recognize all of the Class II MHC antigens tested. T lymphocytes activated by soluble antigen or alloantigens, and expanded in culture, expressed DR, SB, MB, and MT. The majority of the MB/DS+ cells present in the adherent population were monocytes, because they were phagocytic and had the monocyte-specific marker 63D3. The rest of the cells were not identified. They are likely to include mostly B lymphocytes. The presence of other cells, such as dendritic cells, in this subset needs to be determined.     

Differentiation of a cell line of myeloid leukemia

A cell line was established in vitro from a spontaneous myeloid leukemia of SL strain mice. This cell line was cytologically identified as myeloblast, and its normal differentiation appeared to be completely blocked in mass culture. When the line cells were seeded in soft agar with a conditioned medium from normal cells, either macrophages or neutrophil granulocytes appeared from a single clone. The rate of formation of colonies containing differentiated cells always increased with an increase in the concentration of conditioned medium. The conditioned medium from this line cell was not as effective as was that from normal cells in inducing differentiation.     

诱导人脐带间充质干细胞分化为视网膜色素上皮样细胞的研究

目的：探讨用猪视网膜色素上皮细胞（RPE）条件培养基诱导hUCMSCs分化为RPE样细胞的方法。方法通过流式细胞技术鉴定hUCMSCs的表面标记分子;通过诱导hUCMSCs分化成为脂肪、骨和软骨细胞确定其多系分化能力;将hUCMSCs培养在猪RPE的条件培养液中并添加诱导因子来诱导hUCMSCs向RPE细胞分化。对照组与处理组Q-PCR结果采用t检验比较。结果 hUCMSCs表达CD105、CD90、CD73、CD44和CD29,但不表达CD34,CD45和MHCII等分子标记,在成脂、成骨、成软骨分化培养基中可分化为脂肪、骨和软骨细胞。单独使用猪RPE条件培养液不能有效诱导hUCMSCs向RPE细胞分化,但联合应用猪RPE条件培养液和诱导因子（视黄酸,activin-A和人重组骨形成蛋白-7）可有效诱导hUCMSCs分化为RPE样细胞,RPE细胞标记分子RPE65、Mitf和Ck8/18的基因表达量分别提高了2.1±0.4、6.8±1.3和2.5±0.3倍（P〈0.05）。诱导产生的RPE样细胞呈多边形,但不含色素颗粒。结论猪RPE条件培养液联合诱导因子可有效诱导hUCMSCs分化为RPE样细胞,可能会为治疗视网膜变性疾病提供合适的种子细胞。     

Characterization of the early and late stages of myelomonocytic leukemia induced by Friend helper-independent virus F-MuLV: isolation and induction of Friend myelomonocytic leukemic cell lines

With the use of cloned helper-independent Friend leukemia virus (F-MuLV), we have induced a high incidence (approximately 70%) of myelomonocytic leukemia in mice resistant (Fv-6rr or Fv-6rs) to erythroleukemia induction by this virus. The spleen cells from these mice (DBA/2 or BALB/c X DBA/2) were found to contain a high level of progenitor cells capable of forming granulocytic and macrophage colonies (CFU-GM). These CFU-GM, however, were different from those in the spleens of uninfected mice, as they were either very sensitive to or independent of conditioned medium. No erythroid progenitor bursts (BFU-E) or precursor (CFU-E) cells were detected in the spleens of these diseased animals. If these mice with myelomonocytic leukemia were kept alive by transfusion of red blood cells from uninfected mice, tumorigenic cell lines, capable of being transplanted, into adult mice can be isolated. Three such cell lines TTA-1, TTA-3, and TTA-9 have been established, and they retain their morphology of monocytes and macrophages as well as being positive for the monocyte-specific stain alpha-naphthyl-acetate esterase. These myelomonocytic leukemia cell lines can also be induced in culture by spleen cell-conditioned medium to differentiate into macrophages. Other conditioned media such as L-cell-conditioned medium, phytohemagglutinin-stimulated leukocyte-conditioned medium, and WEHI-3 conditioned medium were less effective in their abilities to stimulate differentiation in these myelomonocytic leukemia cell lines.     

Human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the umbilical cord

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known as a population of multi-potential cells able to proliferate and differentiate into multiple mesodermal tissues including bone, cartilage, muscle, ligament, tendon, fat and stroma. In this study human MSCs were successfully isolated from the umbilical cords. The research characteristics of these cells, e.g., morphologic appearance, surface antigens, growth curve, cytogenetic features, cell cycle, differentiation potential and gene expression were investigated. After 2weeks of incubation, fibroblast-like cells appeared to be dominant. During the second passage the cells presented a homogeneous population of spindle fibroblast-like cells. After more than 4months (approximately 26 passages), the cells continued to retain their characteristics. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that CD29, CD44, CD95, CD105 and HLA-I were expressed on the cell surface, but there was no expression of hematopoietic lineage markers, such as CD34, CD38, CD71 and HLA-DR. Chromosomal analysis showed the cells kept a normal karyotype. The cell cycle at the third passage showed the percentage of G(0)/G(1), G(2)/M and S phase were 88.86%, 5.69% and 5.45%, respectively. The assays in vitro demonstrated the cells exhibited multi-potential differentiation into osteogenic and adipogenic cells. Both BMI-1 and nucleostemin genes, expressed in adult MSCs from bone marrow, were also expressed in umbilical cord MSCs. Here we show that umbilical cords may be a novel alternative source of human MSCs for experimental and clinical applications.     

Interleukin 3: A differentiation and growth factor for the mouse mast cell that contains chondroitin sulfate E proteoglycan

Mouse mast cells were differentiated and grown by culturing bone marrow cells in medium containing 2 X 10(-10) M purified interleukin 3 (IL 3). The cells obtained were similar in ultrastructure, membrane antigen phenotype, proteoglycan type, and lipid products generated upon immunologic activation to mast cells differentiated in culture by WEHI-3-conditioned medium (WEHI-3-CM) and by concanavalin A (Con A) splenocyte-conditioned medium. Phenotypically, these cells expressed IgE receptors and H-2 antigens and were recognized by a monoclonal antibody (B23.1) that did not react with mouse serosal heparin-containing mast cells. The classic phenotypic markers of mouse T cells or macrophages were not detected. The mouse mast cells differentiated with IL 3 as well as those differentiated in WEHI-3-CM incorporated [35S]sulfate into a nonheparin proteoglycan of 150,000 to 200,000 m.w. Most of the 35S-labeled macromolecules were degraded by chondroitinase ABC to yield only two disaccharides, which co-chromatographed on ascending thin layer chromatography with delta Di-4S and delta Di-diSE; thus, the proteoglycan in these cells is composed of chondroitin sulfate E glycosaminoglycans. After sensitization with monoclonal IgE, washing, and antigen activation, the IL 3 differentiated cells released the preformed mediator beta-hexosaminidase and generated and released two major classes of lipid mediators. The quantities of leukotriene C4 (LTC4), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether) generated/10(6) cells were 17, 3.0, and 3.1 ng, respectively. The ratio of these three lipid mediators was similar to that obtained from mast cells differentiated in WEHI-3-CM and in Con A-conditioned medium. Thus, T cell-derived IL 3 is the component present in the conditioned media that is required for differentiation and growth of the subclass of mast cells containing chondroitin sulfate E proteoglycan, designated E-MC. The IL 3-dependent E-MC may represent the in vitro counterpart of the T-cell-dependent mucosal mast cell, suggesting in turn that the production of LTC4 and LTB4 and of PAF-acether may play a role in adaptive intestinal immunity to helminthic parasites.     

Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies recognizing three distinct differentiation antigens (BL1, BL2, BL3) on human B lymphocytes

We report in this paper the generation and characterization of three monoclonal antibodies, designated alpha BL1, alpha BL2, and alpha BL3, that recognize distinctive antigens unrelated to complement, Fc, and mouse erythrocyte rosette receptors, which are preferentially expressed on B lymphocytes. alpha BL1 recognizes a heat stable nonimmunoprecipitable antigen, possibly glycolipid in nature. Alpha BL2 recognizes a nonreducible single polypeptide with a m.w. of 68,000 that occasionally co-precipitates with a p29,34 complex of HLA-DR antigens. Alpha BL3 recognizes a nonreducible single polypeptide with a m.w. of 105,000 with an acidic pI point. We demonstrated that BL1 is expressed on fetal liver hematopoietic cells, a small subset (5 to 15%) of Ficoll-Hypaque-separated normal bone marrow cells, and on a subpopulation of nonadherent, non-E rosette-forming cells and granulocytes. BL2 is expressed on fetal liver hematopoietic cells, on 3 to 7% of normal bone marrow cells, and on a majority (40 to 70%) of nonadherent, non-E rosette-forming cells with a distinctive pattern similar to that of HLA-DR. BL3 is expressed on a subpopulation of nonadherent, non-E rosette-forming cells, and on occasional cells in the monocyte-enriched adherent cell population. The peak fluorescence for BL2 is substantially higher than that of BL1 and BL3, indicating higher BL2 antigen density. All three antigens are absent from thymocytes and E rosette-positive T cell fractions obtained from various lymphoid tissues. Cellular distribution of the BL antigens on various well-characterized established hematopoietic cell lines, leukemias, and malignant lymphomas, in conjunction with the results of the in vitro activation and TPA-induction experiments, suggest that BL1 is expressed during early developmental stages of B cell differentiation, whereas BL3 is expressed at the later stages. BL2 expression spans immature and mature stages of B cell differentiation, with the exception of mature plasma cells. The alpha BL antibodies described here should prove to be useful in the investigation of B cell differentiation and in the clinical diagnosis of lymphoid neoplasms.