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Previous observations that endogenous retroviral envelope antigen is expressed in splenic Ig(+) B cells of SRBC-sensitized 15I5 X 71 chickens suggested that expression of this antigen might be a general property of plasma cells in 15I5 and related strains. To investigate this possibility, immunofluorescence assays with antiviral sera were carried out using plasma cells present in Harder glands. Endogenous retroviral envelope antigen was detectable in plasma cells of line 15I5 X 71, 15I5 X 72, and 15I5 chickens but not in plasma cells of line 72, 15B, or 63 chickens. Higher levels of retroviral envelope antigen were detectable in 15I5 X 71 plasma cells as compared to 15I5 X 71 bursal cells. The presence of retroviral envelope antigen in 15I5 plasma cells, coupled with the absence of detectable levels of retroviral p27-related antigen in these cells, suggested that expression of the former is governed by the ev 6 genetic locus.

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