Recognition of the species of origin of cells in culture by mixed agglutination. I. Use of antisera to red cells

Abstract

Preliminary experiment on the mixed agglutination reaction suggests that this reaction will afford a useful method for identifying the species of origin of cells maintained in culture.

The reaction depends on the presence of antigens characteristic of the species, common to both tissue cells and red cells. Culture cells derived from man, ox, pig and rat could be distinguished one from the other. Fibroblasts of the mouse may be differentiated from those of the rat by means of a rat anti-mouse red-cell serum or a mouse anti-rat red-cell serum.

Experiments are reported on trial absorption procedures to render the sera completely species-specific in their reactions.