title: A live human B-cell activator operating in isolation of other cellular influences.
abstract: Using a reversed haemolytic plaque assay, we demonstrate that live but not inactivated Epstein-Barr (EB) virus can induce human blood lymphocytes to polyclonal Ig (IgM and IgG) secretion in vitro. Unlike pokeweed mitogen this B-cell-activating effect takes place in relative absence of T cells. EB virus thus promises to be a tool for study of B cell function isolated from other cellular influences, although its mechanism of activation appears to be different from that of previously known B cell activators.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens