[Ultrastructure of human blood T-lymphocytes marked with monoclonal antibodies].

The ultrastructure of different human blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations was studied by immunoelectron microscopy using "Orthoclone" monoclonal antibodies (OKT-3, OKT-4 and OKT-8) and peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) complex. It was shown that T-lymphocyte subpopulations, distinct in their surface markers and function, possessed some specific features of submicroscopic structure. OKT-4+ cells (helper/inductor) were characterized by small size, high nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and few cytoplasmic organelles. OKT-8+ cells (suppressor/killer) were larger, had low nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and bean-like nucleus, with their cytoplasm containing numerous mitochondria, well-developed Golgi complex and osmiophilic granules.