Expression of an avian CD6 candidate is restricted to alpha beta T cells, splenic CD8+ gamma delta T cells and embryonic natural killer cells.

A candidate avian CD6 homolog is identified by the S3 monoclonal antibody. The S3 antigen exists in a phosphorylated glycoprotein form of 130 kDa and a nonphosphorylated form of 110 kDa. Removal of phosphate groups and N-linked carbohydrates indicates a 78-kDa protein core. During thymocyte differentiation, the gamma delta T cells do not express S3, whereas mature CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells of alpha beta lineage acquire S3 antigen. All alpha beta T cells in the blood and spleen express the S3 antigen at relatively high levels. In contrast, only the CD8(+) subpopulation of gamma delta T cells in the spleen expresses the antigen and neither alpha beta nor gamma delta T cells in the intestinal epithelium express the S3 antigen. The S3 antigen is also found on embryonic splenocytes with a phenotypic profile characteristic of avian natural killer cells. The biochemical characteristics and this cellular expression pattern imply that the S3 antigen is the chicken CD6 homolog.