The Place of the Lymphocyte in the Reticulo-endothelial System: A Study of the in vitro Effect of Prednisolone on Lymphocytes

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Abstract
Prednisolone added to lymphocyte cultures before or simultaneously with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) produced significant inhibition of lymphocyte transformation; it produced a small degree of inhibition if added 5 min. after PHA; but after 10 min. and subsequently caused no inhibition. PHA had the effect of protecting the lymphocytes from the cytolytic action of prednisolone if added at the same time or before the steroid. The similarity between the effect of radiation and prednisolone in vitro is discussed and the action of the hormone on the cultured cells is compared with the in vivo effect of it on the lymphoid tissue and immune responses. The PHA cell in its resistance to irradiation and adreno-cortical hormones is similar to the plasma cell series and some reticulum cell types.