Isolation and characterization of a mesenchyme associated antigen from dimethylbenzanthracene induced rat fibrosarcoma.

Using an antiserum directed against human neurospecific antigen and the indirect immunofluorescence technique, we have obtained evidence for the presence of a mesenchyme associated cross-reacting antigen (MAA) in the dimethylbenzanthracene induced fibrosarcoma of the rat. This antigen has been purified from this tumor and compared with the antigen associated with the human nervous system and that associated with the nervous system of the rat. An anti-rat MAA antiserum has been obtained. It has cytotoxic activity against cultured fibrosarcoma cells as measured by release of radioactivity. This antigen can be considered as a marker of fibrosarcomas.