Abstract
1. A comparative study has been made of the major transplantation antigens present on the chondrocyte isolated from articular cartilage of the sheep and lymphocytes from the cartilage donors.
2. It has been shown that the chondrocyte possesses antigens of the major histocompatibility system in common with the lymphocyte.
3. In order to demonstrate the similarity between the antigen structure of the chondrocyte and the lymphocyte it was necessary to treat cartilage cells with papain after isolation in order to remove the matrix more completely. Failure to do this led to an apparent deficit of antigens on the chondrocyte.
4. It was found that lysis of cells by antibodies was slower when chondrocytes were the target cells than when lymphocytes were used. It is concluded that this is due to a protective role of remaining cartilage matrix.
