Brain-associated theta antigen: reactivity of rabbit anti-mouse brain with mouse lymphoid cells

Immunization of rabbits with mouse brain (which is known to contain Θ antigen) results in a potent anti-Θ-like antiserum. This antiserum termed “anti-brain-associated Θ”, BAΘ, is cytotoxic to thymus cells but not marrow cells, inhibits the primary in vitro response to RBC, does not affect antibody-forming cells which are of marrow origin, and inhibits the graft-versus-host reaction. It serves as a convenient means of obtaining large quantities of anti-thymus antiserum.