Reactivity of mouse antibodies against bromelain-treated mouse erythrocytes with various mouse cells before and after protease treatment.

A mouse monoclonal antibody against bromelain-treated mouse erythrocytes (BrMRBC) was conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Various cells from the blood and lymphoid tissues of mice were stained before and after protease treatment with the fluorescent antibody. Without protease treatment, only the platelets were specifically, though dully, fluorescent. Protease treatment made all the erythrocytes, the majority of platelets, thymus and bone marrow cells and a small part of the spleen cells brightly fluorescent. The reactivity of the antibody with cells depended on the temperature, being stronger at 0 than at 37 degrees C. The present findings demonstrate that various mouse cells besides erythrocytes bear the epitopes for anti-BrMRBC antibodies in exposed or hidden form.