Identification of T-like and B-like lymphocyte subsets in sea star Asterias rubens by monoclonal antibodies to human leukocytes.

The axial organ of sea star Asterias rubens is a primitive immune organ. The total cell population was fractionated into two populations: adherent (B-like) and non-adherent cells (T-like) to nylon wool. These two cell subsets were previously defined as functionally acting as mammals T and B cells. In the present report, we pointed out that these T and B-like cells can be identified using mouse to human monoclonal antibodies. Reproducible results were obtained with anti-CD7 monoclonal antibody which detects the T-like cell subset and with anti-CD14 antibody that characterizes the B-like population.