Inhibition of the active E-rosette-forming T lymphocytes by a mesenchyme associated antigen.

Using the active E-rosette method, we have obtained evidence for the inhibition of their formation by a mesenchyme associated antigen (MAA) which was found in human tumors. After incubation of lymphocytes with MAA, the active E-rosette percentage in 28 healthy donors fell from 22.4 +/- 3.5 to 11.3 +/- 2.8. This inhibition was studied for different concentrations of MAA and remained significant for 22.5 microgram/ml. In vivo implication of this inhibition is discussed.