ACTIVATION OF HUMAN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES BY A TRYPANOSOME-DERIVED MITOGEN

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 45  (3) , 615-620
Abstract
Activation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes from unsensitized donors by fractions of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense was demonstrated in vitro. Both T and B cells were stimulated to differentiate into blast cells. Purified T cells failed to proliferate but did so when mitomycin C-treated non-T cells were added. Non-T cell proliferation (weak in comparison to the T cell response) was shown to be T-dependent. In unseparated cell cultures, IgM synthesis was enhanced, while IgG synthesis was unaltered. Reconstitution of non-T cells with equal numbers of irradiated T cells resulted in enhanced IgG synthesis. Neither T nor B cells were activated directly but required the cooperation of accessory cells to proliferate. The role of monocytes in the regulation of this response requires further assessment.