Immunodetection of lymphocyte subpopulations involved in allograft rejection in a teleost, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.).

Monoclonal antibodies which recognize antigenic determinants expressed by T-cells and Ig-bearing cells, respectively, allowed lymphocyte subpopulations involved in allograft rejection of muscle transplants to be identified in the teleost fish Dicentrarchus labrax (L.). The monoclonal antibody DLT15 first allowed recognizing T-cells involved in an in vivo antigen-driven cellular response in teleosts. Immunohistochemical studies showed a high density of lymphocytes in allografts and provided evidence of predominance of T-cells. The heterogeneity of the cell populations recognized by the antibodies was evidenced by the different size, cytology, and staining patterns of T-cells and Ig-bearing cells.