Distribution of erythrocyte receptors at the surface membrane of human T-lymphocytes.

During incubation at 4 degrees C, the binding sites for neuraminidase-treated human erythrocytes (nHRBC) and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were diffusely distributed on the surface membrane of most rosette-forming normal human blood lymphocytes. Increasing the temperature to 37 degrees C resulted in a rapid rosette dissociation which was accompanied by a relative increase in cap formation and a corresponding decrease of ring-like rosettes. The conversion into caps was inhibited by reincubation of the cells at 4 degrees C. The results indicate a movement of the nHRBC and SRBC receptors in the plane of the human T lymphocyte plasma membrane.