An anti-mouse macrophage monoclonal antibody reacting with T-derived leukaemic cells.

Hybridomas secreting anti-mouse macrophage antibodies were obtained by fusing a murine plasmacytoma with lymphocytes of a rat immunized against mouse macrophages. An IgM, monoclonal antibody (3 A 35) reacted with mouse monocytes, macrophages and polymorphonuclear leucocytes. It did not bind appreciably to erythrocytes, platelets and unstimulated T or B lymphocytes. However, 3 A 35 bound to various murine T-derived leukaemic cells and to a small proportion of Con A-stimulated thymocytes. Cross absorption experiments confirmed the existence of a common antigenic determinant on macrophages and leukaemic cells. The possibility that 3 A 35 identified a previously described antigen common to macrophages and normal or leukaemic T cells was investigated. The antibody was tested against thymocytes and macrophages of various mouse strains, some congenic for H-2 or T1a. The 3 A 35-detected antigen was found to be different from Ly5, Tla and Qa and did not represent a I-J encoded allotypic specificity.