Abstract
The in vitro spontaneous formation of sheep red blood cell (SRBC) (E) rosettes by peripheral blood lymphocytes is altered in vitro by the addition of micro-molar quantities of zinc chloride. Appropriate concentrations of zinc chloride cause marked enhancement of rosette formation, both in normal subjects and in cancer patients with low initial E rosette values. The effect is dependent upon zinc treatment of the lymphocyte and not the SRBC. Other zinc-induced effects on E rosettes include retardation of temperature-dependent spontaneous decay, increased mechanical stability due to enhanced SRBC-lymphocyte bonding, and retardation of “capping.” The formation of EAC rosettes is not altered by the presence of zinc.