SUBPOPULATION OF HUMAN B-LYMPHOCYTES THAT ROSETTE WITH MOUSE ERYTHROCYTES

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 26  (1) , 99-107
Abstract
A proportion of human peripheral blood lymphocytes form rosettes with mouse erythrocytes (M-RFC). The proportion of such rosette-forming cells is high in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Analysis of normal lymphocyte populations revealed that M-RFC belong to the B[bone marrow-derived]-lymphocyte subclass exclusively. Analysis of their surface markers showed complement receptors in 50% as compared to 71% of the total B-cell population, a distribution of surface immunoglobulins G, A, M and E typical of the lymphocyte sources and a lack of sheep erythrocyte receptors. No differences in the ratio of M-RFC to total B cells was found between lymphocyte populations from tonsils, bone marrow and peripheral blood, although a significantly higher ratio was seen in cord blood and in CLL. Investigation of the properties of mouse erythrocyte rosette formation revealed the following: incubation of lymphocyte mouse erythrocyte mixtures at 37.degree. C before centrifugation inhibited rosette formation when CLL lymphocytes were used; treatment of mouse erythrocytes with neuraminidase or trypsin increased their adhesiveness to lymphocytes; treatment of lymphocytes with neuraminidase promoted M-rosette formation but trypsin treatment had an inhibitory effect; cyanide and fluoride at concentrations which strongly inhibited E-rosette formation had no inhibitory effect on M rosettes; M-rosette formation was inhibited by anti-immunoglobulin serum but not by anti-lymphocyte serum; and M-rosette formation was also inhibited by the presence of staphylococci. E-rosette formation was unaffected. The nature of the bond in mouse rosettes is discussed. The lymphocyte receptor may be a part of an immunoglobulin molecule.