Major histocompatibility markers cell surface antigens

Lymphocytes, the effector cells of the acquired immune system, include morphologically indistinguishable T and B cells, the former divided into CD4+ T helper cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Since the functions of those cell subsets differ so drastically, it became important to develop tools to distinguish them from each other. Efforts to identify cell subsets according to their expression of different surface antigens have been successful, including various Cluster of Determination (CD) markers (Table 23.1). In addition, cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies, and subsequently developed species-specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies towards the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have been used to label cells in circulation and in tissue sections (Table 23.1). 

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