The enhancing effect of unsaturated fatty acids on E rosette formation.

The number of bound sheep red blood cells (SRBC) per lymphocyte of 16 healthy subjects were assayed prior and after addition of unsaturated fatty acids. Addition of fatty acids to the assay system was found to increase significantly the number of avid T lymphocytes (which bind more than 10 SRBC). It is suggested that increased fatty acid level might change lipid fluidity of the plasma membrane and increase the number of attachment points between the cell surface of the lymphocyte and SRBC. The immunoregulatory effect of fatty acids is discussed.