HIDDEN THY-1 ANTIGEN IN A SUB-POPULATION OF MOUSE BONE-MARROW CELLS

Abstract

Immunofluorescence and cytolysis studies using antisera against the xeno- and alloantigenic components of the Thy-1 molecule showed that in adult mouse bone marrow more cells bear the xeno- than the alloantigen. Allo+ cells form a subset of a larger, xeno+ population. Xeno+ allo- prothymocytes could be induced to express the alloantigen in vitro; this could result from the unmasking of cryptic antigen, the presence of which is demonstrated, rather than de novo antigen synthesis. Some xeno+ allo- cells are involved in splenic hemopoiesis, as a subpopulation of precursors or as accessory helper cells.