The lymphocyte surface. II. Separation of Fc receptor, C'3 receptor and surface immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes

Abstract

A one-step separation procedure is described for both depleting and obtaining in pure form Fc receptor (FcRL), C'3 receptor (CRL) and surface immunoglobulin bearing (IgL) lymphocytes from rat lymphoid populations. The method is a modification of the Bӧyum (1968) technique for separating lymphocytes from whole blood by sedimentation on Ficoll/Isopaque, and is based on the fact that when a lymphocyte forms a rosette with sensitized erythrocytes it will sediment with the red cells rather than float with the non-rosetting lymphocytes. The technique is > 99.5% efficient at depleting thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) of FcRL, CRL and IgL and these subpopulations can be recovered 93-98% pure. The total recovery of lymphocytes applied is usually > 90% and the separated lymphocytes are > 95% viable. This technique allowed the cellular distribution of Fc receptors, C'3 receptors and surface Ig to be determined. It was found that (a) Almost all CRL carry surface Ig, although a very small sub-population of CRL (0.2-0.8%) which lacks surface Ig could regularly be detected. (b) A substantial proportion of IgL (12-25%) lacks C'3 receptors. (c) IgL and CRL which lack Fc receptors are more frequent in spleen and lymph nodes than in TDL. The proportion of this subpopulation increases in TDL after prolonged thoracic duct drainage. (d) Some FcRL exist which lack both C'3 receptors and surface Ig. These cells are more evident in TDL after prolonged thoracic duct drainage and in lymph nodes (20-30% of FcRL) than in early TDL or spleen (5-10% of FcRL). (e) The thymus contains very few FcRL, CRL or IgL. (f) A large population of lymphocytes exists in B rats (32-42% of TDL) which is killed by an anti-B serum but which lacks surface Ig. These cells are much less frequent in normal TDL ( < 5%) and probably also lack Fc and C'3 receptors. (g) Large lymphocytes probably shed their Fc and C'3 receptors, but retain their surface Ig, during S-phase. (h) Studies on a secondary anti-DNP response showed that a substantial proportion of direct and indirect plaque forming cells (PFC) in the spleen express Fc receptors, whereas only indirect PFC carry C'3 receptors. Virtually all PFC ( > 98%) possess surface Ig.