Chicken A blood groups system antigens: molecular characteristics and lack of expression on lymphocytes*

The molecular structure of two antigens (A2 and A4) of the chicken A blood group system was determined by using an A4-specific monoclonal antibody (ISU-cA) and several alloantisera specific for chicken A blood group antigens. Molecules immunoprecipitated from erythrocytes were separated on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under either reducing or non-reducing conditions. Molecules of relative molecular weights 53.0 and 54.5 Kd were identified under reducing conditions for A2 and A4 antigens, respectively, and non-reduced molecules had a relative molecular weight of 44.5 Kd for both antigens. Two-dimensional electrophoresis showed a similar, single, diffuse band near pH 6.5 for each antigen. The data are consistent with a glycosylated molecule with one or more intrachain disulphide bonds. Allelic differences between A2 and A4 antigens seem to be due to an additional moiety on A4 antigen with a net neutral charge. Binding to chicken lymphocytes of antibody specific for A antigens was not detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunoprecipitations of radiolabelled peripheral blood lymphocyte-surface molecules using ISU-cA and A-specific alloantisera also did not detect A blood group antigens. Thus, chicken A blood group antigens are not indicated to be present on lymphocytes.