POLYCLONAL HUMAN LYMPHOCYTE-T ACTIVATION RESULTS IN THE SECONDARY FUNCTIONAL ACTIVATION OF THE HUMAN LYMPHOCYTE-B

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (1) , 165-173
Abstract
The polyclonal T lymphocyte activators Con [concanavalin] A and PHA [phytohemagglutinin] were demonstrated to induce secretion of IgM and IgG and IgA antibodies in cultures of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. A similar response was seen in 1-way mixed lymphocyte cultures; the kinetics, dose-response characteristics and optimal culture conditions are presented. The presence of functional T lymphocytes is a prerequisite for in vitro B lymphocyte activation in response to T lymphocyte mitogens. A narrow dose-response profile is a characteristic for Con A and PHA; polyclonal B cell activation occurred at what have been regarded as suboptimal concentrations of these agents. The use of higher doses of these activators failed to generate Ig-secreting cells despite the presence of early and optimal levels of DNA synthesis in the cultures.