Fe - RECEPTORS , Ia - ANTIGENS , AND IMMUNOGLOBULIN ON NORMAL AND ACTIVATED MOUSE T LYMPHOCYTES

While it is generally accepted that most B lymphocytes express Fe-receptors (FcR) (1), 1 evidence for the expression of FcR by T cells is controversial. Thus, while some works have claimed that a high proportion of thymus cells display FcR (2), others have failed to demonstrate FcR on these cells (1). FcR, however, could be detected on several murine T cell lymphomas (2, 3, and footnote 2), and several groups have reported FcR on T cells activated by H-2-determinants in vivo (H-2-ATC) (2, 4). This might suggest, therefore, that T cells express FcR only at certain stages of differentiation. The present paper reports that although a proportion of H-2-ATC recovered from spleen displayed FcR, those recovered from thoracic duct lymph (T.TDL) were FcR negative. The same observation has been made for T cells activated by M-locus determinants. In addition, Ia-antigens were found on ATC (spleen) and T.TDL. These findings are discussed in relation to T-cell differentiation. between CBA/J and C57BL/6 (C57BL) (H-2 b, Mlsb) and between SJL/J and C57BL/6 were used. Cell Suspensions. Single cell suspensions were prepared from thymus, lymph node, and spleen by teasing the tissue through a 60-mesh stainless steel screen into cold tissue culture (TC) Medium 199 (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich .) plus 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) (Flow Laboratories , Rockville, Md.) and gently pipetting the cells through a 1-ml pipette. Cells were washed three lymphomas as model tumors for T cell studies. T cell markers, immunoglobulin, and Fe-receptors on AKR thymomas. Cell Immunol. In press .