ABSTRACT
A traditional approach for the cellular iinmunologist has been the definition of cellular heterogeneity by the use of antibodies directed against cell surface proteins. Over many years this approach has been refined by the advent of tumor cell models, functional T cell clones and hybridomas, and monoclonal antibody (MAb) technology. The combination of these approaches has resulted in an expansive literature which examines the role of various T cell surface molecules in T cell function. Our goal, for this review, is to examine the role of a subset of these T cell surface molecules. We have been interested in the study of the surface molecules which demonstrate evidence of direct participation in T cell function, as defined by the ability of specific MAb to block T cell function. This review will address the role of some of these T cell surface molecules in the activation of mouse and human T cells.
