IMMUNOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF HUMAN LYMPHOID CELL POPULATIONS

Abstract

Lymphocytes can be subdivided into two major
groups according to origin and function (1, 2).
T lymphocytes are thymus dependent and are responsible
for cell-mediated immunity while the B
lymphocytes represent precursors of immunoglobulin-
producing plasma cells and give rise to humoral
immunity. Considerable knowledge concerning the
biological properties of T and B lymphocytes and
their mutual interaction has been obtained in the
last few years. Recent data also demonstrate further
heterogeneity within each of the two main lymphocyte
populations.
Certain lymphoid cells are capable of mediating cytotoxicity
against target cells coated with specific
antibody. These cells are termed K cells, and although
some evidence seems to suggest that they comprise a
subpopulation of B lymphocytes, their nature and
localization in lymphoid organ is not well known.
This article will attempt to cover the methodologies
involved in assays of T, B, and K cells. The methods
to be discussed are used to detect the presence of
different lymphoid cell populations; the markers
used are not necessarily related to cell function.