title: T-cell regulation of immunoglobulin synthesis and proliferation in pokeweed (Pa-1)-stimulated human lymphocyte cultures.
abstract: In pokeweed (Pa-1)-stimulated human lymphocyte cultures, T cells are essential for the survival, proliferation, plasma-cell development, and high-rate Ig secretion of B cells. Their effects are T-cell-specific in the sense that B-cell stimulation does not take place in the absence of T cells even when fibroblasts or monocytes are provided. The experimental system is the most effective model for activation of human B lymphocytes so far described. Plasmablast development requires approximately 7 days in culture. In T + B-cell cultures established at 1 X 10(6)/ml (1 X 10(4)/mm2) initial cell density, plasma cells can secrete, on the average, as much as 40-70 pg IgM or IgG per cell per day. When the initial T-cell density is increased well above 1.0 X 10(6)/ml, a T-cell-mediated depression of Ig synthesis becomes predominant. Thus, in the pokeweed model T-cell effects represent a balance of helper and suppressor influences. The study also shows that B cells are heterogeneous. A non-adherent IgG-committed (smIg-?) TONSIL B-cell population seems to be less susceptible to T suppressor effects than normal tonsil B cells. This subset proliferates particularly well and synthesizes large quantities of IgG in the presence of large initial proportions of T cells.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002455:Cell Division; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D002469:Cell Separation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008934:Mitogens