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Fish lymphocytes differ in the expression of surface immunoglobulin
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|January 1, 1982
Summary
Monoclonal antibodies revealed two distinct catfish lymphocyte populations, one with abundant surface immunoglobulin (Ig) and one without. This suggests fish may have B and T cell equivalents, differing from polyclonal antisera findings.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Fish Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Surface immunoglobulin (Ig) is a key marker for B lymphocytes in mammals.
- Understanding lymphocyte populations in fish is crucial for comparative immunology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate catfish lymphocyte populations using monoclonal antibodies against catfish Ig.
- To determine if catfish possess distinct lymphocyte subsets analogous to mammalian B and T cells.
Main Methods:
- Assaying catfish peripheral blood and splenic lymphocytes.
- Utilizing fifteen mouse hybridoma monoclonal antibodies specific to catfish immunoglobulin (Ig).
- Comparing results with polyclonal antisera.
Main Results:
- Monoclonal antibodies detected Ig on approximately 40% of catfish lymphocytes, contrasting with nearly 100% detected by polyclonal antisera.
- Two monoclonal antibodies, potentially targeting different catfish light chains, showed additive reactivity when combined.
- This suggests the existence of two distinct catfish lymphocyte populations based on surface Ig expression.
Conclusions:
- Catfish lymphocytes appear to consist of at least two populations: one with abundant surface Ig and one with minimal or no surface Ig.
- These findings support the hypothesis of fish lymphocyte populations analogous to mammalian B and T cells.
- Further research is needed to confirm if these populations are indeed the functional equivalents of B and T cells.