Characterization by monoclonal antibodies of lymphocyte subsets present in B-enriched suspensions

B lymphocyte enriched suspensions isolated by E rosette depletion (E-cells) or by nylon fiber adherence (adherent cells) were identified by their cellular composition using different T and B cell markers (SIg,E receptor, T3, T4, T8 and Ia-like antigens). The cells were isolated from peripheral blood both of healthy donors and uremic dialysis patients. A variable proportion of non-B cells was found in some preparations. This contaminant was represented mainly by Null cells in E-lymphocyte suspensions and by T cells in the adherent population. Contaminating T lymphocytes were most frequently found in adherent cell preparations from uremic individuals and appeared to be an heterogeneous population including variable proportions of T4, T8 and Ia positive T cells. A significant increase of T8+ cells and a decrease of the ratio T4/T8 was seen among adherent T cells as compared to the normal distribution among T peripheral lymphocytes.