Surface markers on natural killer cells of the mouse

Abstract

Rabbit antiserum against mouse brain tissue (anti‐brain‐associated T cell antigen, anti‐BAT) was capable of killing splenic natural killer (NK) cells of CBA/J, BALB/c, C 57 BL/6 J, C 3 H/He and nude mice, which were detected with Molony virus‐induced lymphoma (YAC‐1) and radiation‐induced leukemia (RL ♂ 1) cells as targets. The same antiserum abolished T cell functions, e.g. carrier‐specific helper function and the responsiveness to concanavalin A, but not B cell functions, e.g. immunological memory for the secondary antibody response and the responsiveness to lipopolysac‐ charide. After absorption of the anti‐BAT with thymocytes, the ability to kill T cells was completely abrogated, leaving the activity to kill NK cells intact. No other heterologous and isologous antisera, i.e. rabbit anti‐mouse thymocyte antiserum, goat antiserum against antigens shared by thymus and B cells, anti‐Thy‐1.2 and anti‐la antisera, could eliminate NK function regardless of their definite reactivity against T or B cells. The results indicate that the absorbed anti‐BAT can distinguish NK cells from other known subsets of T and B cells.