This thesis describes an experimental study of the T cell system in
relation with allogeneic organ transplantation. The experiments were
performed in rats. Inbred rat strains as well as congenic rat strains are
readily available. These inbred strains enable transplantation in fixed
donor-recipient combinations. Data obtained from one allografted animal
can therefore directly be compared with data obtained from another animal.
For a dissection of the T cell system of the rat in these type of studies
specific antibodies were required directed against various subpopulations
of the T cells. Since hardly any of such antibodies were available for the
rat, the first part of this thesis describes the development of such
antibodies, using the hybridoma technique. Since in the course of the
alloreaction due to activation and differentiation the phenotypical
expression of cells may change it was necessary to characterize the MCA's
in regard to the surface antigen, which they recognize, the cells that
carry these antigens and their function during T cell activation