Lack of B lymphocyte depletion from murine spleen cell populations by a human gamma-globulin, anti-human gamma-globulin column system.

It has been reported previously that enriched populations of mouse thymus-dependent (T) lymphocytes could be prepared by the use of a column procedure that is believed to remove selectively cells with receptors for antigen-antibody complexes. In our hands, this procedure does not selectively remove B lymphocytes but rather masks the surface immunoglobulin. Analysis of the column-passed cells revealed an apparent decrease in the percentage of immunoglobulin-bearing cells but little decrease in either the percentage of complement receptor lymphocytes or the mitogenic response to lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, rabbit immunoglobulin could be detected on the surface of 35 to 45% of the cells emerging from the columns prepared with rabbit anti-human gamma-globulin (HGG). After overnight incubation, 30 to 40% of the emerging cells reexpressed mouse immunoglobulin on their surfaces. Adsorption of the antisera used to make the columns with mouse gamma-globulin (MGG) diminished the depleting capacity of the columns. We conclude from these observations that antibodies in the anti-HGG sera, cross-reactive with mouse immunoglobulin, account for the spacious depletion of B lymphocytes observed when cells are passed over these antigen-antibody complex columns.