Enhanced Binding of Neuraminidase-treated Sheep Erythrocytes to Human T Lymphocytes

Pretreatment of sheep erythrocytes with neuraminidase greatly enhances their specific binding and rosette formation with human T lymphocytes. Since the rosettes dissociate at 37°C, a method was developed to isolate human T lymphocytes with a high degree of purity and good recoveries. Trypsin treatment of E abolishes their binding to T lymphocytes. Trypsin-treated erythrocytes can be coated with antibody and complement components and used as a specific reagent to detect the C3 receptor on human B lymphocytes, avoiding the risk of an interaction between the erythrocytes and T lymphocytes.