Electrophoretic mobility of peripheral non-B human Fc gamma-receptors bearing lymphocytes.

The electrophoretic mobilities of separated "null" lymphocytes and of null and T cells bearing receptors for the fragment of immunoglobulins (Fc) portion of IgG have been studied in normal human blood. The data have been compared with those of other circulating subsets and with more conventional marker techniques. A large proportion of B cells was removed by nylon wool adherence. Further purification of the effluent cells separated 3 non-B populations using the property of sheep's red blood cells to form 2 types of rosettes with T cells on the basis of their relative affinity: "active" rosettes, and low affinity E-rosettes. A population of "null" cells was obtained which was effluent of the nylon wool column and non rosette-forming cells with SRBC (E-RFC). The average purity of this population was 85%; it was found to contain an increased proportion of rosette-forming cells with IgG coated erythrocytes (EA-IgG RFC) (41.3 +/- 10.4% vs. 11.9 +/- 3.8% in the total population) and exhibited high spontaneous incorporation of thymidine but low response to mitogens. The "null" cell population and its erythrocyte-antibody complex-rosette forming cells (EA-RFC) exhibited a defined electrophoretic mobility, centered between 1.05 and 1.15 micrometer. sec-1. v-1. cm in NaCl 0.145 M. The T populations, defined as ERFC, possessed different electrophoretic mobilities, and contained different proportions of Fc gamma receptor-bearing cells. Possessing an e. m. generally greater than 1.15 micrometer. sec-1. v-1. cm., high affinity "active" rosettes did not appear to contain EA-RFC, while the low affinity ERFC contained 18% (8 to 33) EA (IgG) RFC, and had an e.m. comprised between 1.00 and 1.15 micrometer. sec-1. v-1. cm. The presence of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity was found to correlate with EA-RFC: mainly in EA-RFC of the "null" cells, but also to a lesser extent in EA-RFC of the low affinity ERFC. In normal human blood, these non-B Fc gamma receptor bearing cells appeared to possess a comparable electrophoretic mobility centered between 1.05 and 1.15 micrometer. sec-1. v-1. cm. in the "null" and low affinity ERFC subsets.

Peripheral lymphocytes changes in the anamnestic response to tetanus toxoid challenge.

Few data are available on the blood lymphocyte response to revaccination in man. The anamnestic response to tetanus toxoid challenge was evaluated by a variety of techniques during the first week after revaccination. Out of twenty subjects used, eight were evaluated before and 5 days after the injections (days 1--8). Analytical cell electrophoresis showed important variation in the B and two T lymphocyte populations. The B cell percentages, assessed by EAC-rosettes and electrophoretic mobility, were found to decrease by days 2 and 3, and return to former levels by day 8, when a rise in specific antibodies was detected. A similar response was found in the T1 population generally considered to be composed of low affinity E-rosette-forming cells. Conversely, a significant increase (50--100%) in circulating T2 lymphocytes (active rosette-forming cells) was found by days 2 and 3, followed by a rapid decrease of these 'differenciated' cells. The increase in the T2 lymphocytes appeared earlier in skin test positive subjects. These changes were correlated with E-rosettes, mitogen stimulation, peripheral leucocyte migration inhibition and transformation in the presence of the antigen. EA-IgG rosettes and ADCC varied similarly. These results may indicate a significant non-specific cell mobilization following revaccination.