A monoclonal antibody that detects a V kappa-TEPC15 idiotypic determinant cross-reactive with a Thy-1 determinant

To identify T lymphocyte antigens with immunoglobulin-like determinants, we prepared rat anti-mouse T cell monoclonal antibodies and screened them against a panel of purified mouse myeloma proteins representing all isotypes of immunoglobulin. One hybridoma, designated 42-21, was found to detect a novel antigenic determinant shared by V kappa-TEPC15 and the Thy-1 molecule on all T lymphocytes. Although several explanations for this unusual phenomenon exist, it may imply some role for the Thy-1 molecule in antigen and/or mitogen recognition. In any event, future studies of idiotypes on T lymphocytes must consider the possibility that anti-idiotypic sera detect cell surface molecules unrelated to classical immunoglobulin.