Studies on the human T lymphocyte population. III. Synthesis and release of the lymphocyte receptor for sheep red blood cells by stimulated human T lymphoblasts.

The IgG fraction of a goat antibody specific for human T lymphocytes (ATG) and that of a rabbit antibody directed (anti-Ts) were used to study the synthesis, display, and release of the receptor for SRBC (Ts) by normal human peripheral lymphocytes. A large percentage of lymphoblasts obtained by stimulation of lymphocytes with PHA or PWM formed multilayered rosettes with SRBC. The vast majority of these rosetting lymphoblasts were T lymphocyte derived, whereas few B lymphoblasts formed rosettes. Significant increases were found in the quantity of Ts on the lymphoblast membrane and in the supernatants from PHA-stimulated cultures, especially late in transformation. Furthermore, lymphocytes cultured with PHA and 3H-leucine synthesized and released radiolabeled Ts.