A method of purifying sheep sIg+ lymphocytes as a tool for class II MHC antigen analysis

A method is described for the purification of sheep lymphocytes carrying class II MHC antigens. After incubation of purified blood lymphocytes on anti-IgM-coated petri dishes, the adherent fraction contained 95% sIg-positive cells determined by immunofluorescence. When tested with cross-reacting anti-class II (bovine and human) monoclonal antibodies, more than 95% of these cells were positive either by immunofluorescence or cytotoxicity. This technique will permit studies of the polymorphism of sheep class II antigens.