Lack of leu‐3a epitope on t‐helper (cd4) lymphocytes

Abstract
Human T‐helper cells express membrane‐bound CD4 antigen whose many epitopes are recognized by different monoclonal antibodies. The epitope recognized by Leu‐3a and similar clones has been shown to be the location for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) receptor. We have found a unique blood donor whose CD4+ T‐helper lymphocytes were lacking Leu‐3a epitope. CD4+ T‐helper cells lacking Leu‐3a epitope might be resistant to HIV infection.