Concomitant Enhancement of B-Cell Mitogenesis and Inhibition of Antibody Synthesis by a Phorbol Ester

Abstract
12-O-Tetradecaroyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a potent tumor-promoting agent, enhanced proliferation of murine splenic lymphocytes in response to B-cell mitogens while possessing no mitogenic activity by itself. At the same time, TPA inhibited the B mitogen-induced polyclonal responses as well as antigen-specific antibody responses of cultured murine spleen cells. Tumor promoters may inhibit lymphocyte differentiation.