Acetylcholinesterase activity of lymphocytes: an enzyme characteristic of T-cells.

Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes was determined by an adaptation of the colorimetric and radiometric techniques described for other cells. The enzyme activity seemed to be correlated to the number of T-lymphocytes in the blood. To decide whether only the T-cells possess AchE activity the lymphocytes were separated on Leucopac filter and on Percoll density gradient. B-lymphocytes had no detectable enzyme activity, while the T-lymphocyte fraction represented the total activity measured in the unseparated sample. The majority of AchE activity could be demonstrated in T-lymphocytes of lower density (TLD). The role of AchE in the plasma membrane of various blood cells is not known. Nevertheless, the enzyme is a good marker of the integrity and functional state of the membrane. The difference observed in AchE activity of the lymphocyte populations seems to be suitable for using it to characterize T-lymphocytes.