Cross-reactivity of antihuman monoclonal antibodies with cell surface receptors in the common marmoset.

In this report we demonstrate that a large number of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human epitopes cross-react with surface receptors on white blood cells of Callithrix jacchus, indicating species similarities. However, a variety of other mAbs do not exhibit any cross-reactivity, thus also providing evidence for distinct differences in the structure of these receptors among nonhuman primates. Such differences have to be known and taken into consideration when attempting extrapolations between species. The results presented provide the prerequisite for performing extensive studies on immunological structures and functions in marmosets under normal and pathological conditions. We conclude that the immune system of Callithrix jacchus is a convenient model for studies on immunotoxicity with relevance for man, and for this purpose it is clearly superior to that of any rodent species.