Defining cell-surface antigenic markers for mouse T and B cells.

Martin Raff

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2014.00559

Abstract

Defining cell-surface antigenic markers for mouse T and B cells.

Highlights

I began my scientific career in October 1968 at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in London
To test whether the θ-positive lymphocytes in lymph node and spleen were T cells, I analyzed cells from pathogenfree mice that had been treated since birth with a rabbit antiserum made against mouse thymocytes [5] and were T-cell-depleted; Sandra Nehlson, a Ph.D. student with Peter Medawar who worked across the hall, generously provided these mice
I found that the spleen and lymph nodes of the mice contained normal numbers of θ-negative lymphocytes but greatly reduced numbers of θ-positive lymphocytes, strongly suggesting that Av’s hunch was right – θ is present on T but not B cells [6]

Summary

Introduction

To test whether the θ-positive lymphocytes in lymph node and spleen were T cells, I analyzed cells from pathogenfree mice that had been treated since birth with a rabbit antiserum made against mouse thymocytes [5] and were T-cell-depleted; Sandra Nehlson, a Ph.D. student with Peter Medawar who worked across the hall, generously provided these mice. Before transferring the cells, I treated one or other population with anti-θ antibodies and complement to kill the T cells, using normal mouse serum plus complement as a control.

Results

Conclusion