The Enrichment of T‐Cell Functions in a Lymphocyte Population by Anti‐immunoglobulin Columns

Mouse lymphocytes have been fractionated using purified anti‐light chain antibodies adsorbed onto plastic beads. B cells were specifically bound on these columns, as evidenced by the absence of anti‐light chain immunofluorescent staining of the effluent cells and a two‐fold enrichment of T cells as judged by cytotoxicity and fluorescent staining using specific anti‐T‐cell sera. The effluent population was still functional and showed a 10–30% enrichment with respect to the killing of allogeneic mastocytoma cells. Although only 71% of spontaneous and 58% of immune rosettes formed by unfractionated lymphocytes with sheep red cells could be inhibited by an AKR anti‐CBA θ serum, virtually all the rosettes formed by the anti‐light chain effluent cells were inhibited. θ‐bearing rosette‐forming cells from immunized animals were retained to a greater extent Dn the anti‐LC as compared with control columns.