ABSTRACT
A rheumatoid-arthritis-specific antigen that is identical to the heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein rhnRNP-A2.
rabbit immunity
The rabbit immune system is quite similar to that of the human with only minor variations. The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) in the rabbit consists of an appendix, Peyer’s patches, and diffuse lymphatic nodules. GALT and other peripheral lymphoid tissues of the rabbit contain a permanent lymphatic system with lymph nodes. The rabbit has a prominent spleen and a thymus that undergoes involution in adulthood. Lymphopoiesis originates in the bone marrow, and the maturing cells occupy appropriate tissues and organs. Rabbit leukocytes resemble those of other mammalian mononuclear phagocyte systems. Lymphoid cell populations and circulation routes resemble those of other mammals, making the rabbit an excellent model for immunological investigations. Rabbit cytokines include migration inhibition factor (MIF), chemotactic factor, migration stimulation factor (MSF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-
α
). IgM, IgG, IgE, and IgA immunoglobulins and several groups of allotypes have been discovered in rabbits. The rabbit major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has both class I and class II regions. Both B and T cells as well as microphages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes have been described.
