IgG on lymphocyte surfaces; technical problems and the significance of a third cell population

Direct immunofluorescence performed with the F(ab')2 fragment of rabbit antibodies to IgG revealed that membrane bound IgG was only rarely found on the surface of small peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). In contrast, whole antibodies to IgG used in fluorescence gave much higher levels of cells with IgG surface staining. This staining resulted from secondary IgG binding, in part due to the uptake of newly formed immune complexes. IgM and IgD bearing cells were brightly stained in relatively similar percentages by the whole and F(ab')2 forms of the class specific antibodies; they constitute the principal membrane Ig of PBL. Evidence was obtained indicating that a special population of cells with Fc receptors but lacking membrane Ig was primarily involved in the high IgG binding. This population also formed sheep erythrocyte rosettes when optimal conditions were utilized.