Antigen-binding thymus-derived lymphocytes. I. Rapid method for isolation of theta-positive antigen-stimulated cells

Abstract

A rapid method for separating SRBC-stimulated populations of theta (θ)-positive thymus-derived lymphocytes from bone marrow-derived lymphocytes and plaque-forming cells has been developed using cotton wool columns. The column effluent was monitored for plaque-forming and `rosette'-forming cells. Stimulated θ-negative cells were found to adhere preferentially to cotton wool. The total recovery of small lymphocytes was 12±3 per cent and the yield of rosette-forming cells was 5.5±4 per cent of which 85±5 per cent were θ-positive.