Human lymphocyte agglutinins in Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphin)

A naturally occurring heterophile agglutinin directed against human erythrocytes and lymphocytes is present in the serum of the marine mammal, Tursiops truncatus (Bottlenose dolphin). Differential specificity was demonstrated with the use of absorption techniques that showed at least 3 separate specificities directed against erythrocytes, T cells, and B cells, of which the B cell agglutinin was in the highest titer. Isolation techniques employing ion exchange and affinity chromatography have shown these agglutinins to be of the IgM class. Agglutinin activity is lost when lymphocytes are treated with pronase, suggesting that the surface receptor is protein or protein associated.