Bovine lymphocyte antigens (BoLA) of bovine lymphocytes and derived lymphoblastoid lines transformed by Theileria parva and Theileria annulata.

The BoLA phenotypes of lymphocytes from seven cattle have been compared with those of 19 lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from them by infection in vitro with either Theileria parva or T. annulata. Two long-established lines were also studied. In all cases except one, the BoLA phenotypes of the lymphoblastoid lines were identical with those of the original animal from whose lymphocytes they were derived. The one exception was a chimeric twin where a minor population appeared to have been transformed by T. parva. The antigens present on this line were present in the parents of the chimera, but not detectable in its own peripheral blood. The implications of these results as they relate to the use of these cell lins in immunizing cattle against East Coast fever and tropical theileriosis are discussed.