Isolation of a human lymphocyte mitogen from wheat germ with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine specificity.
A lectin, isolated from wheat germ by affinity chromatography on chitin, was mitogenic for purified human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Peak incorporation of 3H-thymidine was observed after incubation of lymphocyte cultures with wheat germ mitogen for 7 to 10 days. When lymphocytes were separated into two fractions based on their ability to form rosettes with unsensitized sheep erythrocytes, the mitogen induced a negligible proliferative response in either fraction. Mixing experiments demonstrated a strong response in the T lymphocyte fraction which required the collaboration, but not proliferation, of cells present in the nonrosetting fraction. Stimulation was specifically abolished by addition of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine at initiation of culture.
D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008934:Mitogens / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014908:Triticum
D000939:Epitopes; D008934:Mitogens; D005944:Glucosamine; D000117:Acetylglucosamine