title: Activation of a human T cell subpopulation bearing receptors for autologous erythrocytes by concanavalin A.
abstract: Human lymphocytes from different lymphoid organs were examined for rosette formation with autologous erythrocytes. The autorosette-forming cells (A-RFC) were shown to belong to a T cell subset including less mature lymphocytes. When normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes were stimulated with low doses of the plant lectin concanavalin A (Con A), in the presence of autologous plasma, the A-RFC levels were strongly enhanced. This response gave rise to two peaks: the first one coincided with the peak of thymidine incorporation but the maximum increase occurred 5 or 6 days later when the proliferative response was impaired. Depletion of A-RFC before stimulation with Con A led to a clear-cut decrease in autorosette levels at both peaks of the response. It is concluded that Con A, generally used for polyclonal activation against heteroantigens, may also result, in terms of A-RFC marker, in expansion of an autoreactive T cell population.
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D002965:Classification; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013949:Thymus Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D013949:Thymus Extracts; D003208:Concanavalin A