Cell surface associated gamma globulins in lymphocytes. I. Reverse immune cytoadherence: a technique for their detection in mouse and human lymphocytes.

Abstract

A method has been developed for the demonstration of γ globulin on the surface of mouse and human lymphocytes. It utilizes an (Fab′)2 hybrid antibody containing one antiglobulin site and one antiferritin site. Through the former it reacts with the γ globulin on the cell surface and through the latter it attracts ferritin coated sheep red blood cells to form a rosette. Since the γ globulin on the cell acts as the antigen this has been termed reverse immune-cytoadherence in contrast with the direct technique where the γ globulin acts as an antibody. The technique was used to determine the number of cells with reactive γ globulin on their surface, in mice and man from various sources. Such cells were found in lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow and peripheral blood. However, no rosette-forming cells were found in the thymus. Neoplastic plasma cells and lymphoma cells did not form rosettes. As plasma cells contain large amounts of γ globulin it is suggested that this technique detects a γ globulin which forms an integral part of the cell surface and may represent the antigen receptor γ globulin. The lack of this receptor on plasma cells may represent either a phenotypic restriction during normal differentiation or may be a characteristic of the neoplastic cell.