Analysis of the antigenic structure of the thymocyte surface membrane by heterologous anti-thymocyte serum.

The surface membrane of rat thymocytes and lymph node cells was analyzed by comparing the capability of different rat cell types and of solubilized and chromatographically separated rat thymocyte membrane fractions to absorb cytotoxic antibodies on rat thymocytes and lymph node cells from a heterologous anti-rat thymocyte serum. The experiments described cause distinct antigenic specificities of the thymocyte membrane to be brought into relationship to structures of defined physio-chemical properties, and thus are an approach of a thymocyte cell surface mapping in antigenic as well as in molecular terms. Futhermore, the data presented allow conclusions on the distribution pattern of single antigenic determinants on different cells or tissues used as absorbents and target cells.