A simple and rapid method for detecting and separating T lymphocytes by rosetting with autologous erythrocytes.

Counting and separation of auto-rosette-forming lymphocytes is a critical procedure since autologous rosettes are very unstable. It was demonstrated that human serum albumin efficiently stabilizes autologous rosettes, and makes it possible to distinguish at least three T-cell subsets by their different affinities for autologous erythrocytes. About 1% of T-cells have a high affinity for autologous erythrocytes and about 30% intermediate affinity. With a careful procedure, it is possible to detect a further subpopulation with very low affinity for erythrocytes. The sum of these three subsets was about 75% of the T-cells in the peripheral blood.