The 9- O-acetylated disialosyl carbohydrate sequence of CDw60 is a marker on activated human B lymphocytes

Gangliosides with a terminal 9- O-acetylated disialosyl group (CDw60 structures) show a restricted surface expression on human leukocytes. Hithereto, they have only been detected on subpopulations of human T lymphocytes. Using the defined CDw60 antibody UM4D4 and two new antibodies with preferential CDw60 activities, F6 and Z17, we demonstrate for the first time that CDw60 is an activation marker on human B lymphocytes. In vitro phorbol ester-stimulated human peripheral blood B lymphocytes as well as in vivo activated tonsillar B lymphocytes became CDw60 positive. CDw60 expression of these cells exceeds that of resting and activated T-lymphocytes.