title: Do human B and null lymphocytes form a single immunoglobulin-bearing population?
abstract: Human "null" lymphocytes have been recognised because they lack T-lymphocyte membrane markers and the surface membrane immunoglobulin (smIg), detectable by direct immunofluorescence, which conventionally characterises B lymphocytes. But almost all null lymphocytes express smIg determinants which are demonstrable by the direct antiglobulin and mixed antiglobulin rosette tests. It is argued that the definition of a B lymphocyte should be extended to include the null cells which react in these tests. If the heterogeneity of the B-lymphocyte population is more widely recognized, the precise nature of human natural and antibody-dependent killer cells may become clearer.
mesh_terms: D000915:Antibody Affinity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000276:immunology; D003298:Coombs Test / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012397:Rosette Formation
chemical_list: D003176:Complement C3; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D011961:Receptors, Fc