Selective binding of Dolichos biflorus agglutinin to L3T4-, Lyt-2- thymocytes. Expression of terminal alpha-linked N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residues defines a subpopulation of fetal and adult murine thymocytes

Using histochemical and immunocytochemical techniques, a lectin with nominal specificity for alpha-linked N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), was found to preferentially label thymocytes with an L3T4-, Lyt-2- phenotype from fetal/newborn and adult mice. Through days 14 to 16 of gestation, virtually all thymocytes bound DBA, followed by a dramatic reduction of DBA labeling during the last 4 days of gestation, reaching adult levels of about 2 to 4% of total thymocytes. At later stages of fetal development, the DBA+ cells were confined to the subcapsular area of the thymus. This apparent loss of DBA+ cells was caused by an expansion of the thymocyte population not labeled with this lectin. Affinity purification of thymocyte cell surface components with insolubilized DBA indicated that virtually all of the lectin binding to fetal thymocytes was mediated by a 120-kDa glycoprotein. In addition to thymocytes, DBA also labeled about 5% of bone marrow cells from both normal or nude mice and a small population of spleen cells as well. These results suggest that this lectin may be useful to positively select for LT34-, Lyt-2- thymocytes, and, possibly, other immature populations within the T cell lineage.