Characterization of rhesus macaque peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations

Highly enriched rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) peripheral blood T-lymphocytes were separated into functional subpopulations by Fc-receptors. The T-lymphocyte population was comprised of both Fc-IgM (T_μ ⁺, 3.4 ± 1.6) and Fc-IgG (T_γ ⁺, 16.2 ± 4.0) bearing cells. T-cells depleted of cells bearing Fc-IgG receptors (T_γ ^•-) and T_γ ⁺ subpopulations were characterized and assessed for functional activity. T_γ ⁺ and T_γ ^•- subpopulations were found to have the following characteristics: 1) T_γ ⁺ cells were stimulated by concanavalin-A (Con-A)³, pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), while T_γ ^•- cells were stimulated by Con-A and PWM, but not PHA-P; 2) T_γ ^{{circled dash}} cells were found to mediate PWM induced differentiation of autologous B-cells including EAC⁺ and EAC^- enriched subpopulations, while T_γ ⁺ cells did not induce differentiation; 3) T_γ ⁺ cells released soluble factors which depressed mitogen stimulation of T_γ ^{{circled dash}} cells; and 4) approximately 8-10% of the T_γ ⁺ cells phagocytized IgG sensitized bovine red blood cell (BRBC) immune complexes.