title: Is dextran 70 a lymphocyte mitogen?
abstract: Dextran 70 ('Lomodex') roduced significant increases in thymidine incorporation in a modified whole-blood method of investigating lymphocyte blastogenesis. This blastogenesis occurred at molar concentrations of 7 X 10(-6) and 7  10(-5). At 7 X 10(-7) mol/l dextran alone did not significantly increase thymidine incorporation; however, when this concentration of dextran was added simultaneously with phytohaemagglutinin there was a significant increase in incorporation. Conversely when dextran was added before P.H.A., thymidine incorporation was decreased. These variable effects indicate that dextran 70 may be a B-cell mitogen. Dextran 70 is widely used and these effects on lymphocyte blastogenesis may be clinically relevant.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003911:Dextrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D037102:Lectins; D008934:Mitogens; D013936:Thymidine