Detection of differentiation antigens by use of monoclonal antibodies

Various monoclonal antisera placed at appropriate dilutions in a microcytotoxicity typing tray can be used to characterize different cell types with the aid of a simple 2-h microcytotoxicity test. With this simple assay, T and B lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, blast cells, and platelets can readily be distinguished. In addition, spleen cells contained 25-50% T cells, half of which expressed Ia antigens. The presence of Ia-bearing T cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients can also be detected using this cytotoxicity tray.