Lymphocyte subpopulations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of Balb/c-mice defined by monoclonal antibodies.

The percentage of lymphocyte subpopulations from the bronchoalveolar space of Balb/c-mice expressing B-(Ia), and T-(Thy 1.2, Lyt 1.2 and Lyt 2.2) cell markers was determined using monoclonal antibodies and complement in the direct cytotoxic test. The cells were obtained by lung lavage from unstimulated animals. Only 6% of total cell yield (1.1 +/- 0.8 X 10(5) cells/mouse) showed no adherence and were separated by density centrifugation. The majority (95%) of these cells were esterase-negative lymphocytes. The mice had a higher percentage of B cells (51%) and suppressor cells (14%) and a lower percentage of total T cells (45%) and helper cells (28%) in lavage fluid of lungs than in the blood.