A general method for the cytochemical and ultrastructural studies of human lymphocyte subsets defined by monoclonal antibodies

Abstract

After incubation with monoclonal mouse antisera raised against membrane differentiation antigens, subsets of human lymphocytes can be detected by means of latex microspheres or ox erythrocytes coated with anti-mouse Ig antibodies. Optimal conditions are described using a panel of monoclonal antisera (Ortho Pharmaceuticals and New England Nuclear). The method is as sensitive as the complement-mediated microcytotoxicity assay, is rapid, easy to perform and permits exhaustive light and electron microscopic studies of lymphocytes bound to the carrier particles. The advantages of the simultaneous analysis of cytological features and monoclonal antibody-defined surface markers in normal and pathological individual lymphocytes are discussed with regard to lymphoid cell maturation and neoplastic lymphocyte classification.