Characterization of a bovine thymic differentiation antigen analogous to CD1 in the human.

Three monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), TH97A, CC13, and CC14, define a thymic differentiation antigen in cattle. The antigen is expressed on 50-60% of bovine thymocytes, located mainly in the cortical areas, but is not expressed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In cryostat sections of lymph node, the antibodies react with large dendritic-like cells in the paracortical regions. They also react with a proportion of the large 'frilly' cells in afferent lymph and with dendritic-like cells in the dermis. The antibodies apparently do not react with cells in the epidermis. Biochemical analysis of the antigen recognized by MoAb TH97A reveals two bands of 44 kDa and 12 kDa under reducing conditions. These polypeptides are distinct from bovine class I major histocompatibility complex molecules reactive with the MoAb w6/32. The tissue distribution of positive cells together with results of biochemical analyses indicate that the antigen recognized by these MoAb is the bovine analogue of the human CD1.