Increase in autologous erythrocyte binding by T cells with ageing in man

Studies made of 115 normal subjects of both sexes aged 20--94 years showed that autologous rosette-forming cell levels in human peripheral blood lymphocytes were related to age and sex. However, no such relationship was found in response to phytohaemagglutinin performed in the same subjects. The nature of these autorosettes in human peripheral blood lymphocytes was studied. A significant decrease in autorosette levels was observed after passage through nylon wool at high RBC/WC ratios, and at any ratio after E-rosette depletion. The results suggesting a T-cell origin of autorosettes were confirmed by the existence of mixed autologous erythrocyte and sheep red blood cell rosettes.