Production of Antiserum in Mice to Human Leukaemia-associated Antigens

Abstract

SEROLOGICAL techniques are of major importance in the study of human tumour specific antigens, particularly with antisera that react specifically with surface antigens on malignant cells or with soluble neoantigens in the serum. Antisera to human leukaemic cells or cell extracts have been produced in rabbits^1–3 but species-specific antibodies may obscure the search for leukaemia-associated antigens (LAA). Induction of tolerance in the neonate to normal human white cells^4,7 or absorption of antisera with normal human antigens⁶ has been used to minimize detection of species-specific antibodies. Mann et al.⁸ have recently produced antisera in rabbits that are cytotoxic to human leukaemic blast cells but not to normal white cells by immunization with membrane components of Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines. Aisenberg⁹ rendered mice specifically tolerant to sheep erythrocytes by injecting them in conjunction with a high dose of cyclophosphamide. Similarly, skin allografts in mice have been prolonged by injecting the recipient with cyclophosphamide and donor leucocytes¹⁰. We have raised an antiserum in mice to human leukaemic blast cells after first inducing partial tolerance to the remission leucocytes of the patient with cyclophosphamide.