[Stimulating effect of B-lymphocytes in mixed cultures on autologous T-lymphocytes in chronic lymphatic leukemia].

Two different cellular populations among the circulating lymphocytes were separated by using a technique based on the T lymphocytes capacity to form nonimmune rosettes with sheep red blood cells. The first population (P) is essentially composed of T lymphocytes, the second (population S) is made up mainly of type B lymphocytes. This technique was applied in the study of circulating lymphocytes in 11 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and was satisfactory both for good reproducibility and for its ability to obtain vital separate lymphocytes. Normal reactivity to PHA and PWM of population P and normal capacity to form E rosettes with SRBC were found. In mixed culture of T lymphocytes stimulated by B cells of the same patient significant blastic response was observed.