Identification and characterization of a unique tumor-associated surface antigen on L1210 leukemia cells recognized by semisyngeneic antisera.

The tumor-associated surface antigen on L1210 leukemia cells was studied by immunofluorescence staining and immunoprecipitation. Anti-L1210 serum was prepared in BALB/c X DBA/2 F1 mice by priming with a hybrid of L1210 and human Lesch-Nyhan fibroblast cells and hyperimmunizing with L1210 leukemia cells. This hyperimmune serum was able to demonstrate specific surface fluorescence on L1210 cells, while the antiserum did not react with various mouse tumor cell lines, normal lymphoid tissues, or mitogen-activated lymphoid cells. The anti-L1210 serum immunoprecipitated a single polypeptide with a molecular weight of 90,000 from 125I-labeled L1210 cells. The expression of this antigen was enhanced by tumor-promoting agent and heat shock treatment. The biological significance of the L1210-specific cell surface antigen is discussed.