Formation of auto-rosettes by peripheral blood lymphocytes

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.