CHARACTERIZATION OF STIMULATORY SURFACE-MOLECULE EXPRESSION ON AVIAN T-CELLS

We have characterized a monoclonal antibody (AT389), produced by immun ization of mice with 4-day-old avian Concanavalin A blasts, which reco gnizes a 38-40 kDa homodimer present on the surface of all chicken T c ells. AT389 increased the spontaneous and IL-2-driven proliferation of 3-day-old T-cell blasts. This antibody, in synergy with IL-2, increas ed cellular proliferation and cell survival of T-cell blasts over time . Together, these data suggest that AT389 recognizes a surface protein on avian T cells which may be related to known stimulatory surface ma rkers on mammalian T cells.