Interaction with homologous erythrocytes of rat T cells which act as aggressors in the mixed lymphocyte reaction.
Substantial percentages of T-enriched spleen lymphocytes or thymocytes of inbred rats were found to form rosettes with the RBC of homologous strains. When an excess of RBC was used, essentially all of the rosette-forming subpopulation of lymphocytes was removed when the rosettes were separated by centrifugation. After depletion of the lymphocytes, reactive with RBC of one strain, most of the lymphocytes reactive with RBC of other strains could be recovered in the supernatant. A very large percentage of lymphocytes of the BN strain formed rosettes when a mixture of the RBC of five other strains was tested; the percentage was, however, somewhat lower than that predicted on the basis of complete additivity. Rosettes dissociated when warmed to 37 degrees C. The lymphocytes recovered were unable to form rosettes again. In nearly all instances, the subpopulation that formed rosettes with RBC of a given strain included essentially all of the lymphocytes that acted as aggressors against peripheral leukocytes or mytomycin C-treated thymocytes of that strain; the lymphocytes in the supernatant always retained activity as aggressors against the leukocytes of one or more other strains and retained their responsiveness to PHA. Lymphocytes recovered from rosettes, by warming to 37 degrees C, were highly reactive as aggressors in the MLR against the strain providing the RBC. Varying degrees of reactivity were noted against leukocytes of other strains.
D000818:Animals; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013045:Species Specificity; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology
D037102:Lectins