Microtubule assembly and conanavalin A capping in lymphocytes: reappraisal using normal and abnormal human peripheral blood cells.

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Abstract
The assembly of microtubules and the distribution of concanavalin (Con) A-receptor complexes were studied in populations of human peripheral blood T [thymus-derived] and B [bone marrow-derived] lymphocytes. The relationship of microtubules to Con A cap formation in lymphocytes was studied as was the abnormally high spontaneous and colchicine-induced Con A capping in lymphocytes from a patient with an inherited form of severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) characterized by total immunologic dysfunction despite normal numbers and distribution of T and B cells. Microtubule disassembly is correlated with enhanced Con A cap formation on normal human lymphocytes. T and B cells differ significantly from each other and from circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes with respect to their capping responses after exposure to colchicine. There is an abnormal relationship of microtubule assembly to surface topography in the functionally defective SCID cells.