T-LYMPHOCYTE DEPENDENCY OF B-LYMPHOCYTE BLASTOGENIC RESPONSE TO PHYTOMITOGENS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 34  (4) , 625-629
Abstract
Human peripheral blood T [thymus-derived] and B [bone marrow derived] lymphocytes were separated by a method based on the stable rosette formation of T lymphocytes with neuraminidase-treated sheep erythrocytes, followed by centrifugation over a Ficoll-Hypaque gradient. Monocytes were isolated from the T-depleted B lymphocyte preparation by allowing the monocytes to ingest Fe particles and by subsequent centrifugation over a Ficoll-Hypaque gradient. The T lymphocytes responded extremely well to PHA [phytohemagglutinin] and very well to PWM [pokeweed mitogen]; the B lymphocytes were unresponsive to PHA or PWM. When the B lymphocytes were cultured together with irradiated autologous or allogeneic T lymphocytes (1:1, 1:2 or 1:4 ratio), PHA and PWM became mitogenic by B lymphocytes. Irradiated T lymphocytes alone did not respond to PHA or PWM, indicating that the 3H-thymidine incorporation seen in the mixed-cell culture was due to the activation of unirradiated B lymphocytes. The B lymphocytes failed to respond to these phytomitogens in the presence of lower concentrations of irradiated T lymphocytes. The monocytes were incapable of helping the B lymphocytes to respond to PHA or PWM.