Histamine-receptor leucocytes (HRL). Organ and lymphoid subpopulation distribution in man.

The frequency of lymphoid cells with a membrane receptor for histamine was determined in various lymphoid organs in man using a histamine-rosette assay. Thymus had very low numbers of histamine-receptor cells while lymph node and peripheral blood had increasing percentages. Through a combination of cell separation techniques, we demonstrated that about one third (1/3) of peripheral blood B lymphocytes and macrophages carry histamine receptors. Immature B cells or null cells (E-rosette and membrane-immunoglobulin-negative) do not have this receptor. Only 10% of peripheral blood T lymphocytes formed histamine rosettes. That these histamine receptor T lymphocytes are a subpopulation representing the differentiated suppressor/cytotoxic T cells is suggested by evidence showing complete removal of histamine receptor T lymphocytes on nylon wool adherence columns. Thus, the histamine receptor is expressed on differentiated B and T lymphocytes and may serve as a marker for developed suppressor/cytotoxic T cells in man.