Nonimmune Rosette Formation by Lymphoma and Leukemia Cells from Herpesvirus saimiri -Infected Owl Monkeys 2

Abstract

Lymphocytes from Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS)-infected owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) were obtained from various lymphoid organs and grown in vitro. Erythrocytes from 14 species of different animals were examined for their ability to form nonspecific rosettes with HVS-infected and normal lymphocytes. Sheep erythrocytes were the most frequently and consistently bound by both populations, though the HVS-infected lymphoid cells demonstrated a much greater binding frequency than did normal lymphocytes. Although most HVS lymphocytes in culture formed nonspecific rosettes with sheep erythrocytes, the HVS-lymphocyte cultures had few or no complement-reactive cells. Lymphocytes fresh from peripheral blood of one HVS-infected owl monkey also showed an increase in rosette-forming cells and a simultaneous decrease in lymphocytes with complement receptors. A variety of antisera failed to block the nonspecific sheep-erythryocyte rosette formation. Results suggest that in owl monkeys the HVS-infected lymphocytes may represent a subpopulation of cells related to thymus-derived lymphocytes.