Abstract
Anti-hamster islet antiserum was prepared in the rabbit by multiple subcutaneous inoculations of hamster islets emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvants. Since the antiserum contained nonorgan-specific antibodies against hamster spleen cells, it was absorbed with homogenates of hamster liver and spleen cells until it lost the antibodies reacting with the surfaces of spleen cells.
Postabsorbed antiserum still showed cytotoxicity against hamster islet cells at a serum dilution of 1: 32 in the presence of complement. The existence of islet cell surface antibodies was also demonstrated by the indirect immunofluorescence test.
The relatively organ-specific antibodies against the surfaces of hamster islet cells did not react with the surfaces of heterologous islet cells, such as rat, mouse and guinea pig, indicating that the anti-hamster islet cell surface antibodies prepared in the rabbit are relatively species-specific. This is in contrast with the evidence that the islet cell surface antibodies of diabetic patients are not speciesspecific.
Our data indicate that hamster islet cells express relatively organ-and species-specific antigens on their surfaces.
