The use of crossreactive monoclonal antibodies to characterize the immune system of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

One of the major difficulties in studying the mechanisms of host defense in economically important species indigenous to Asia and the Middle East is the lack of monoclonal antibody (mAb) reagents that define the immune systems of species other than cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs. One strategy that could obviate this problem at minimal cost is to identify existing mAbs that recognize conserved epitopes on orthologous major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and leukocyte differentiation molecules. To explore the potential of this approach, we screened a large set of mAbs that recognize bovine MHC class I and II molecules and leukocyte differentiation molecules to identify mAbs that react with orthologous molecules in water buffalo. One hundred thirty eight were found that recognize conserved determinants on orthologous molecules. In addition to identifying a useful set of reagents, the study has provided insight into the composition of the immune system of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).