NS-1 (nervous system antigen-1), a glial-cell-specific antigenic component of the surface membrane.

A methylcholanthrene-induced glioblastoma of the C57BL/6 inbred mouse strain was used to raise antibodies in C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 inbred mice and in (C57BL/6 x DBA/2) and (C57BL/6 x Balb/c) F(1) hybrids. When examined by the cytotoxicity test, these antibodies define a cell-surface component (or components) found exclusively on brain tissue of all mouse strains studied and of several other mammalian species including man. The antigen, named NS-1 (nervous system antigen-1), is present on cells of three of the four mouse-glial-cell tumors tested, but not on the C1300 neuroblastoma, a tumor of neuronal origin. NS-1 occurs in higher concentration in regions of the nervous system richer in white than in gray matter, and in lower than normal concentrations in brains of myelindeficient neurological mutant mice. The concentration of NS-1 gradually increases postnatally and reaches the adult level between the third and fourth week. The existence of more than one allele or genetic locus controlling NS-1 activity is suggested by the occurrence of higher amounts of NS-1 in brains of the A and C57BL/6 than of the Balb/c and DBA/2 mouse strains. NS-1 is the first cellsurface component to be described that is not only unique to nervous tissue, but specific for glial cells.