T- and B-cell surface markers on rabbit lymphocytes.

Abstract

Rabbit thymus, appendix, blood and lymph nodes were characterized using immunological tests: rosette-forming ability with homologous or heterologous red blood cells, surface immunoglobulins, analytical cell-electrophoresis, cell refringency and in vitro mitogen responsiveness. The experiments were conducted on normal rabbits and cyclophosphamide-treated rabbits. Moreover, we tried to separate slow and high mobility cells by free-flow electrophoresis into fractions. These experiments suggest that rabbit lymphocyte behaviour is exceptional among mammals in that the majority of their lymphocytes appeared as B cells and that, in comparison with mouse and man, the proportions of these cells are inversed.