Multiple enzymes related to differentiation of lymphocyte subpopulations in man

We studied the relation of various enzymes to subpopulations of lymphocytes in man. T cell-rich fractions were separated with a nylon column from mononuclear cells in the buffy coat. Comparing the enzymatic profiles of the two fractions, we found that the difference between the two groups came from the dominancy of B cells and/or macrophages in the former fraction, and from that of T cells in the latter. The enzymes characterizing T cells included N-Ac-beta-D-glucosaminidase (GlcNAc-ase), prolyl endopeptidase (Post-Pro-Enz), and dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV (DAP-IV), whereas those characterizing B cells and/or macrophages include poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, leucine aminopeptidase (Leu-AP), AP-B, cathepsin B, sialidase, and AP-A. Inhibitors of these enzymes may lead to modification of the function of T and B cells.