Cell membrane perturbation of resting T cells and thymocytes causes display of activation antigens.

Three human lymphocyte antigens recognized by monoclonal antibodies OKIa1, OKT9, and OKT10 were found to be minimally represented on resting peripheral T cells (all three) and thymocytes (OKIa1 and OKT9). These antigens, which are present on "activated" T cells, were promptly displayed on "resting" T cells or thymocytes following cross-linking of surface-bound monoclonal antibody by horse alpha-mouse IgG. These experiments suggested that membrane perturbations may induce the expression of certain antigens that are normally present in an unexpressed form in resting cells.