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Specificity of Anti-θ Sera in Cytotoxicity and Functional Tests on T Lymphocytes

Nature New Biology volume 233, pages 239–241 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

THE theta (θ) alloantigen is a marker for thymus-dependent (T) lymphocytes in mice1–4, and anti-θ serum has been used to study the distribution, differentiation and function of T lymphocytes5. We report here studies which indicate that anti-θ sera raised in conventional inbred mice are usually contaminated with a number of antibodies directed against surface antigenic determinants other than θ, at least one of which is present on thymus-independent B lymphocytes. These contaminating antibodies have been demonstrated by cytotoxicity tests with rabbit complement and by rosette-forming cell (r.f.c.) inhibition studies. In the presence of guinea-pig complement, however, most anti-θ sera can be used selectively to kill and/or inhibit T cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, NW7 1AA

    M. F. GREAVES & M. C. RAFF

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  1. M. F. GREAVES
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  2. M. C. RAFF
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GREAVES, M., RAFF, M. Specificity of Anti-θ Sera in Cytotoxicity and Functional Tests on T Lymphocytes. Nature New Biology 233, 239–241 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio233239a0

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