The serologic behaviour of neuraminidase-treated lymphoid cells. Alloantigenicity and complement sensitivity.

  • 1 July 1972
    • journal article
    • Vol. 11  (3) , 441-60
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase (VCN) renders mouse lymphoid cells highly susceptible to the cytolytic effects of alloantibody and complement (C). This increased susceptibility to lysis is not due to unmasking of alloantigens since no increase in alloantibody-binding capacity of VCN-treated cells could be detected. However, VCN-treated cells can be lysed by normal rabbit serum, human serum, and guinea-pig serum even if specific antibody is not added to the incubation mixture. VCN, therefore, while not unmasking strong H-2 histocompatibility antigens, may be capable of unmasking other antigens with which heterologous sera can react.