INDUCTION AND ABROGATION OF SUPPRESSOR CELL FUNCTION IN HUMANS: EFFECT ON B CELL ACTIVATION BY DIFFERENT POLYCLONAL ACTIVATORS

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Abstract
In a reverse plaque forming cell (PFC) assay, the effect of concanavalin A (ConA)-induced suppressor cells on polyclonally activated B lymphocytes was studied. Differentiation to PFC, as induced by pokeweed mitogen (PWM), Staphylococcus aureus or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was in all cases suppressed by the addition of ConA-pretreated cells. The EBV-stimulated cells showed the smallest PFC response and appeared least amenable to suppression. IgA-secreting cells were less suppressible than IgM- and IgG-secreting cells regardless of the polyclonal B lymphocyte activator used. The suppressor cells were radiosensitive.