The inheritance of a Macaca fascicularis red cell antigen detected by CAMPATH-1 antibody.

CAMPATH-1 monoclonal antibody is reactive with human lymphocytes and monocytes and it has been shown to bind to antigens on the red cells of a number of primate species, including Macaca fascicularis. Our study within a closed colony of breeding M. fascicularis monkeys has confirmed this finding, and shown that the antibody identified a single red cell antigen inherited in Mendelian fashion as a dominant character. We have, further, confirmed that the antigen is present on blood lymphocytes, even in animals whose red cells are negative. This CAMPATH-1 antigen can therefore serve as a useful red cell marker in experiments involving bone marrow transplantation or blood transfusion.