Binding of sheep red blood cells to a large population of human lymphocytes.

Abstract

WHILE investigating the interaction between antigen–antibody–complement complexes and lymphoid cells1, we have noticed that sheep red blood cells (SRBC) adhered to a surprisingly large proportion of human peripheral blood lymphocytes forming clusters (“rosettes”). We have now examined the conditions in which this interaction occurs, and the frequency of rosette forming lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of normal individuals and a few patients with haematological diseases.