Phylogenetic origins of immune recognition: lymphocyte surface immunoglobulins and antigen binding in the genus Carassius (Teleostii)

Cortisol-induced lymphocytopenia in brown trout, Salmo trutta L

The administration of cortisol in the food of brown trout produced peak plasma cortisol titres of about 140 ng ml-1 at 12 hr and markedly reduced the number of circulating lymphocytes, which reached their lowest count at 36 hr. Cortisol did not affect the erythrocyte, thrombocyte, or neutrophil count. Sexual maturation of the male fish was associated with an increase in erythrocytes and a decrease in lymphocytes in the blood. These findings are discussed in relation to the increased susceptibility of the brown trout to a variety of infections during sexual maturation and under conditions of stress.

Surface immunoglobulin on granular and agranular leukocytes in the thymus and spleen of the snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina

Spleen and thymus suspensions from the turtle, Chelydra serpentina were examined by indirect immunofluorescence and found to contain both agranulocytes and granulocytes positive for surface Ig. Among the splenic agranulocytes , 50% of the lymphocyte and monocyte population was positive for surface Ig. In the thymus only 7% of the thymocytes were positive. Ninety-two percent of the granulocytes, composed primarily of basophils and eosinophils, were positive for surface Ig in both the thymus and spleen. The presence of surface immunoglobulins on turtle splenic leukocytes was confirmed by sheep red blood cell (SRBC) immunization studies. Basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes from immunized turtles formed SRBC rosettes, while eosinophils from immunized turtles were found to specifically phagocytose SRBC. Splenic leukocytes from control turtles did not phagocytose or rosette with SRBC. This study demonstrates that indirect immunofluorescent techniques can be used to identify surface immunoglobulin on turtle granulocytes as well as agranulocytes .

Surface component of primate thymus-derived lymphocytes related to a heavy chain variable region

In a study designed to determine whether T cells of man and higher primates express a surface component related to the variable region of immunoglobulin heavy chain (VH), chickens were immunized with the purified VH fragment of a monoclonal Waldenström macroglobulin. The antibody preparation reacted with a mu chain determinant contained in the Fd fragment and with individual determinants characteristic of the orginal Waldenström protein. As estimated by immunofluorescence analysis, a subpopulation of normal human peripheral T cells (approximately 30%) bound the anti-VH antibody. B-Cell lymphoma lines grown in vitro, as well as some T-cell leukemia lines of the cotton-topped marmoset (Sagiunus oedipus), also bound the anti-VH antibody. The VH-bearing component of the T-cell line 70-N-2 was labeled biosynthetically by incorporation of [3H]leucine and was precipitated specifically by anti-VH antibody. This component was characterized by an apparent mass of 70,000 daltons as assessed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions in buffers containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. These data provide direct support for the hypothesis that some T cells express and synthesize a component related to immunoglobulin heavy chains.

The immunoglobulin-like T-cell receptor. I. In situ demonstration of immunoglobulin Fab-region determinants of rodent T- and B-lymphocytes using chicken antibodies

Antibodies were raised in chickens to the (Fab')2 fragment of normal murine IgG and to the k-myeloma protein MOPC 41. Following appropriate absorptions or purification by immune affinity chromatography the chicken antibodies bound specifically to both T- and B-cells of mice, rats and guinea-pigs as detected by quantitative cytofluorescence, radioactive binding assays and transmission and scanning immunoelectronmicroscopy. These antibodies are directed against polypeptide determinants of the Fab fragment, block antigen binding by purified idiotype-bearing murine antibodies, and provide useful probes for visualization and analysis of immunoglobulin-like surface receptors of rodent B- and T-cells.