INHIBITION OF LYMPHOCYTE-T COLONY FORMATION BY INHIBITORS OF MITOCHONDRIAL PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (1) , 55-58
Abstract
A double layer technique which requires an underlayer of [human] peripheral blood leukocytes, in addition to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in the overlayer, to obtain good T lymphocyte colony formation, was used to assess the effect of 2 inhibitors of mitochondrial protein synthesis, chloramphenicol and ethidium bromide. A significant inhibition of the colony growth of peripheral blood T lymphocytes was observed when either of the drugs was incorporated in the underlayer. The inhibitory effect was always smaller (.simeq. 50%) when the drugs were added to the overlayer. The existence of T lymphocyte colony stimulating factor(s), released mainly by the leukocyte-rich underlayer and essential for T colony formation is indicated, the production of which is inhibited by these mitochondrial inhibitors.