Allograft cytotoxicity. Role of T lymphocytes bearing a receptor for complement.

The ability of sensitized spleen populations to kill allogenic mouse cells in vitro is lost after depletion of cells bearing receptors for C3. It is suggested that complement receptor T lymphocytes (T-CRL) play a role in the effector phase of specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The finding of large C3 rosette-forming cells staining for a specific T marker further supports the view that activated T cells may bear C3 receptors.