Phenotypic analysis of lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from cattle and deer affected with "sheep-associated" malignant catarrhal fever.

Established lymphoblastoid cell lines with natural killer cell-like activity have been derived from cattle and deer affected with malignant catarrhal fever. They were examined phenotypically using monoclonal antibodies chosen for their cross-reactivity with peripheral blood lymphocytes from these species. Cell lines established from three of four cattle were identified as cytotoxic/suppressor lymphocytes (CD4-/CD8+/T19-) whilst the other was shown to be of the helper cell phenotype (CD4+/CD8-/T19-). Two other cell lines, one derived from a red deer and the other from a Père David's deer, were both CD4-/CD8-/T19. All of the lines examined expressed a T cell receptor (CD2+).