Surface markers on natural killer cells of the mouse.

Rabbit antiserum against mouse brain tissue (anti-brain-associated T cell antigen, anti-BAT) was capable of killing splenic natural killer (NK) cells of CBA/J, BALB/c, C 57 Bl/6J, C 3 H/He and nude mice, which were detected with Molony virus-induced lymphoma (YAC-1) and radiation-induced leukemia (RL male 1) cells as targets. The same antiserum abolished T cell functions, e.g. carrier-specific helper function and the responsiveness to concanavalin A, but not B cell functions, e.g. immunological memory for the secondary antibody response and the responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide. After absorption of the anti-BAT with thymocytes, the ability to kill T cells was completely abrogated, leaving the activity to kill NK cells intact. No other heterologous and isologous antisera, i.e. rabbit anti-mouse thymocyte antiserum, goat antiserum against antigens shared by thymus and B cells, anti-Thy-1.2 and anti-Ia antisera, could eliminate NK function regardless of their definite reactivity against T or B cells. The results indicate that the absorbed anti-BAT can distinguish NK cells from other known subsets of T and B cells.