Nonspecific acid esterase activity in human autologous rosette-forming lymphocytes.

Alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) distribution was studied in human peripheral blood total T cells (E-RFC) and in T lymphocyte subpopulation: Autologous rosette-forming cells (A-RFC) obtained in different conditions. The percentage of ANAE localized forms is always lower in A-RFC than in E-RFC, showing an immature state of these autoreactive cells. Among the A-RFC, the percentage of localized forms is correlated with the avidity of cells for autologous erythrocytes, suggesting linkage between A-RFC immaturity and avidity.