[The use of AET-pretreated sheep red blood cells in the detection of lymphocytes with limited affinity for E receptors].

Proof can be given that an additional population of E-rosette-forming cells is detected in the blood and tonsil by using sheep erythrocytes pretreated with AET in comparison to untreated sheep erythrocytes. In dilution and concentration tests it can be demonstrated that there is a limit of detection of these cells and that a negative result is not a biological phenomenon, but the reasons for this were deduced from analytical procedures. The formation of E-rosettes is inhibited by sodium azide or ultraviolet irradiation. Adsorption of untreated sheep erythrocytes is more affected as compared to those erythrocytes pretreated with AET. This points to a higher affinity to the E-receptor of the latter.