Properties of Anti-Hairy Cell Serum

Abstract

An antiserum was prepared in rabbits against hairy leukemic cells. After absorption with human erythrocytes, thymus and liver powder, the serum was passed through immunoabsorbent columns to remove extensive anti-plasma protein activity. Following these procedures, sensitive techniques failed to reveal residual activity against .alpha.-macroglobulins, .beta.-2-microglobulin and other human plasma proteins. The antiserum reacted with normal B [bone marrow derived] lymphocytes but not with T [thymus-derived] lymphocytes or monocytes. Positive reactions were seen in B cell lymphomas, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hairy-cell leukemia and uninucleated Reed-Sternberg cells.