LYMPHOCYTE-B DIFFERENTIATION, USING POKEWEED MITOGEN STIMULATION - INVITRO STUDIES IN LEUKEMIC AND NORMAL CATTLE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (4) , 515-520
Abstract
B[bone marrow-derived]-lymphocytes from 7 normal cattle and from 3 persistent lymphocytotic, 6 lymphosarcomatous and 3 bovine leukemia virus-infected animals with diverse defects in humoral immunity were examined for their capacity to undergo terminal differentiation in vitro. Pokeweed mitogen-stimulated cells from normal and leukemic cattle were stimulated to synthesize and secrete immunoglobulins [Ig], and these were detected by radial immunodiffusion. Lymphocytes from normal cattle synthesized more IgM than those from persistent lymphocytotic-, lymphosarcomatous- and bovine leukemia virus-infected cattle. Leukemic cattle have a higher percentage of cells containing intracytoplasmic Ig; most cells may contain IgG. The serum IgM in normal cattle is significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in leukemic cattle. There may be an abnormality in synthesis or secretion of IgM or in abnormal catabolism of Ig from leukemic B lymphocytes.