Monoclonal antibodies against a differentiated retinal cell population.

Two monoclonal antibodies have been isolated which bind preferentially to the plexiform layers of embryonic chick neural retina and to 50-60% of dissociated neural retinal cells in culture as determined by surface binding to cells followed by analysis in a fluorescent activated cell shorter. Each antibody appears to recognize a distinct antigenic determinant on a common cell surface antigen, a protein of approximately 230 kdalton. This antigen increases dramatically in concentration between embryonic days 7 and 11 concomitant with the elaboration of the retinal plexiform layers. The antigen appears first in the central portion of the neural retina and at later times in the periphery, an appearance consistent with the normal pattern of differentiation of the retina.