Subpopulations of blood lymphocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations of 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were compared with those of 10 healthy donors using minor modifications of the mixed immunofluorescence and rosette test (1), rosette test using human 0 RhD erythrocytes coated with anti-RhD antibodies (2)and the miced rosette test (3). It was found that the percentages of lymphocytes exhibiting both immunoglobulin receptors and receptors for sheep erythrocytes, and lymphocytes with receptors for Fc part of IgG in the rheumatoid patients were increased. A hypothesis for the origin of these subpopulations is discussed.