title: The nature of the cells generating B-lymphocyte colonies in vitro.
abstract: B-lymphocyte colonies are grown in semi-solid agar from mouse spleen or lymph node cells in the presence of mercaptoethanol with or without added sheep red cells. High levels of colony-forming cells were present in the spleen or normal mice and nu/nu (athymic) mice but colony-forming cells were rare in the thymus and not detected in activated T-lymphocyte populations. Colony-forming cells were theta-negative and most exhibited Fc receptors. Most colony-forming cells had the sedimentation velocity of small lymphocytes, were non-adherent and had a buoyant density similar to B-lymphocytes. Colony-forming cells were radiosensitive (Do60 rads) and sensitive to cortisone. Colony formation was potentiated by the addition of adherent spleen cells or peritoneal macrophages. It is concluded that most cells forming B-lymphocyte colonies are themselves characterisable as B-lymphocytes.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002469:Cell Separation; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D003348:Cortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008819:Mice, Nude; D011830:Radiation Effects; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D003348:Cortisone