Hanganutziu-Deicher heterophile antigen in human retinoblastoma cells.

We investigated the possible existence of Hanganutziu-Deicher antigen (HD antigen) on retinoblastoma cells by means of indirect membrane immunofluorescence and a complement-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxicity test. We prepared antiserum in the chicken by immunization with purified equine hematoside highly specific to HD antigen. Three kinds of retinoblastoma cell lines, Y-79, WERI-Rb 1, and TOTL-1, showed positive membrane staining. Y-79 and TOTL-1 cells were also confirmed by the cytotoxicity test to possess HD antigen. Retinoblastoma cells freshly isolated from two patients had a positive membrane immunofluorescence. These results indicated that HD antigen was expressed in human retinoblastoma cells in vitro as well as in vivo.