Immunological properties of rat embryonal carcinoma cells

Abstract

The reactivity of mouse anti-F9 serum on rat embryonal carcinoma cells (F3/1) and xenogeneic as well as syngeneic host immune responses against F3/1 cells were studied. Mouse anti-F9 serum was reactive on the cell surface of F3/1 cells by immunofluorescence. The same antiserum, however, was not cytotoxic against F3/1 cells. The F3/1 cells were not immunogenic in syngeneic hosts as tested by in vivo and in vitro assays. Thus, in the present study, F3/1 antigen(s) could not be defined with syngeneic antiserum but only defined with non-cytotoxic, surface-binding antibodies (IgG) of xenogeneic anti-F3/1 serum.