Rosette formation between human T-lymphocytes and unsensitized rhesus monkey erythrocytes

Abstract

Between 60 and 70% of peripheral blood lymphocytes in healthy adults form rosettes with rhesus monkey erythrocytes. Less than 2% of these rosetting lymphocytes carry detectable amounts of surface immunoglobulins. Using thymocytes, peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal adults or from patients with T cell deficiencies, a linear correlation existed between the percentages of rosettes formed with rhesus monkey and with sheep erythrocytes. It is concluded that rosette formation with rhesus monkey red cells is a feature of human T lymphocytes. Rosette inhibition experiments suggest that two different, though similar lymphocyte receptors are responsible for rosette formation with sheep, and with monkey erythrocytes. Both receptors are present in accessible form only on T lymphocytes, but can be demonstrated on B lymphocytes after Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase treatment.