Abstract
In mammals peanut agglutinin (PNA) is used for separation of lymphocytes into immature and mature T-cells. Lymphocytes that bind PNA are young and functionally immature, but the cells that do not bind PNA are considered mature. No conclusive information was published on PNA as a marker of lymphocytes maturation in chickens. The present results showed that T-lymphocytes that do not bind PNA (PNA-) responded significantly higher to Concanavalin A (Con-A) stimulation than PNA+ ones. During Con-A activation, a PNA receptor was revealed. Double staining of Con-A cultured lymphocytes revealed the presence of both I-associated antigen and PNA. Therefore, the PNA receptor, on chicken T-lymphocytes, was not indicative always of immaturity. During maturation, the receptor was covered and the cells were PNA-, but subsequent proliferation reverted PNA- cells to PNA+ cells.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1516-1520 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Poultry Science |
Volume | 70 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1991 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported by the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (US-829-84). The authors are most grateful to K. A. Schat for his advice and help.