B2-MICROGLOBULIN PRODUCTION BY HIGHLY PURIFIED HUMAN LYMPHOCYTE-T AND LYMPHOCYTE-B IN CELL-CULTURE STIMULATED WITH VARIOUS MITOGENS

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (1) , 47-54
Abstract
.beta.2-microglobulin production by highly purified (greater than 98%) peripheral and tonsil T [thymus-derived] and B [bone marrow-derived] lymphocytes cultured with various mitogens were evaluated. .beta.2-microglobulin was measured by the radioimmunoassay method. PHA [phytohemagglutinin] and Con [concanavalin] A markedly stimulated .beta.2-microglobulin production in cultures of T but not B lymphocytes. B lymphocytes were greatly activated by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I organisms (SpA), though the level of .beta.2-microglobulin production was less than that observed in PHA- and Con A-stimulated T lymphocytes. PWM [pokeweed mitogen] only slightly increased .beta.2-microglobulin production of T lymphocytes, although the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine was highly enhanced. The highest level of .beta.2-microglobulin obtained with PHA or Con A was observed when the T/B lymphocyte ratio was between 90/10 and 80/20. SpA is a specific mitogen for B lymphocytes and its mitogenicity is independent of the presence of T lymphocytes, while PHA, Con A and PWM are ineffective as stimulants of B lymphocytes. The .beta.2-microglobulin producing ability of B lymphocytes is less than that of T lymphocytes, even when the lymphocytes are markedly activated. The .beta.2 microglobulin production and DNA synthesis by T lymphocytes is markedly enhanced by the helper effect of B lymphocytes. The level of .beta.2-microglobulin production reflects lymphocyte activation, especially in T lymphocytes stimulated with PHA or Con A.