Publication

Abstract : Immunoglobulin receptors havc been dcnlonstratcd on the outer surface of lymphocytes by various methods ( I , :1 , 5, U, 10. 17 , ~O , 25). Considerable evidence now exists to show that these immunoglobulin dcterminants have much in common with antibody molecules and it is postulated (0, 12, 11 ) that these may be IgM or IgG typc of receptors or that thesc may represent free light chains. The indirect or "sandwich" Ruoresccnt antibody test on living cells was first described by Moller (H) and later adapted by Osunkoya et aZ. (16) to study the fate of "surface-receptor serum globulin" complex on Burkitt's lymphoma cells. More recently RaIf et aZ. (17) used this approach to determine the pattern of distribution of immunoglobulin determinants on lymphocytes in various lymphoid organs of normal mice. Similar information is lacking so far in human cases. One of the purposes of this communication is to report the proportion of lymphocytes bearing immunoglobulin determinants in human lymph nodes. The function and role of cells carrying immunoglobulin determinants is not precisely defin ed. However, antisera against total globulins are observed not to react with thymus derived lymphocytes (17 ) and the determinants may thus put in evidence cells committed to humoral immune response.