Characterization of feline T-and B-lymphocytes and identification of an experimentally induced T-cell neoplasm in the cat.

Membrane markers of feline T- and B-lymphocytes were identified for further investigation of leukemogenesis in the cat. Feline T-cells formed spontaneous erythrocyte rosettes with guinea pig (GPE) and rat erythrocytes (RE). The receptors for GPE and RE were separate entities and expressed independently on lymphoid cell membranes. The RE receptor appeared to be present only on more mature or differentiated T-cells, whereas the GPE receptor reacted with a broader population that included less differentiated T-cells. Feline B-cells bore a complement receptor that was detected by adherence of SE coated with antibody and complement. Malignant lymphoblasts obtained from thoracic fluid of cats with feline leukemia virus (FeLV)-induced thymic lymphosarcomas, as well as FL-74 cells (a FeLV-transformed feline lymphoblastoid cell line) expressed T-cell markers. These results provided definitive evidence for markers of feline T- and B-cells and identified an experimentally induced T-cell lymphosarcoma.