Characterization with monoclonal antibodies of human lymphocytes forming dog and rhesus-monkey rosettes

Abstract

Human peripheral-blood mononuclear cells forming rosettes with dog and rhesus-monkey red blood cells were characterized with a double marker analysis combining immunofluorescence with a series of monoclonal antibodies and rosette formation. Dog rosette-forming cells are a minor subset of T cells which does not correspond to the helper or suppressor subsets of T cells as determined by the OKT antibodies. Dog rosette formation can be inhibited by two monoclonal antibodies directed against the receptor for sheep red blood cells on human lymphocytes. Rhesus-monkey rosettes can be formed by T lymphocytes as well as by monocytes, null cells, and B cells, as determined by the reactivities with the monoclonal antibodies OKM1 and anti-Ia. OKM1-positive cells are relatively enriched in these rosettes. No inhibition is seen with antibodies directed against the receptor for sheep red blood cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated with the use of monoclonal antibodies that dog and rhesus-monkey rosettes are qualitatively different phenomena.