title: Formation of auto-rosettes by peripheral blood lymphocytes.
abstract: A mean of 3-4% (0-5-19-5%) of the peripheral blood lymphocytes of normal adults were shown to bind three or more autologous erythrocytes in vitro to form auto-rosettes. Marked individual fluctuations were observed. Increased percentages were observed in patients with cancer, but not in other selected groups, including a group who had undergone thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. Auto-rosette formation was shown to be a property of T cells by the demonstration of (a) simultaneous binding of autologous and sheep erythrocytes, (b) non-inhibition of auto-rosette formation by anti-immunoglobulin, and (c) formation of auto-rosettes by mitogen-stimulated T blasts. Auto rosette formation is a property of high percentages of human thymocytes, and of lymphocytes treated with neuraminidase or stimulated to blast-cell trans-formation by phytomitogens. It is suggested that auto-rosette formation by these cells is related to their relatively low content of cell-coat sialic acid, as compared with untreated T lymphocytes. The possible influence of the cell coat on lymphocyte function is discussed briefly.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D008934:Mitogens; D009439:Neuraminidase