Ultrastructure of normal human T cell subpopulations. Parallel tubular arrays in T gamma lymphocytes and clustered dense bodies in T mu lymphocytes

Acta Haematol. 1983;70(4):220-8. doi: 10.1159/000206732.

Abstract

Ultrastructures of normal T-cell subpopulations, T gamma and T mu cells, were studied. T gamma cells were isolated and identified by repeating the rosetting method; firstly, by E rosette formation with neuraminidase-treated sheep red blood cells (SRBC), and next by EA gamma-rosette formation with ox red blood cells coated with IgG antibody (EAox). Before EAox rosetting, SRBC on isolated T cells were lysed by autologous plasma instead of ammonium chloride solution. Normal T gamma cells were heterogeneous with regard to their granules; the majority of T gamma cells had parallel tubular arrays (PTA) and a few had electron-dense granules. When ammonium chloride solution was employed to lyse SRBC, PTA were never observed; PTA in normal T gamma cells and in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells with T gamma character both seemed to change into electron-dense granules after ammonium chloride treatment. In contrast to T gamma cells, T mu cells were characterized by clustered dense bodies, i.e. focal aggregates of electron-dense granules.

MeSH terms

  • Ammonium Chloride / pharmacology
  • Cell Separation
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / ultrastructure*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / immunology
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / ultrastructure
  • Microtubules / drug effects
  • Microtubules / ultrastructure*
  • Rosette Formation
  • T-Lymphocytes / classification
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / ultrastructure*
  • Tromethamine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Ammonium Chloride
  • Tromethamine