title: Blastic transformation of lymphocytes in in vitro cultures under the influence of phytohemagglutinin and pokeweek mitogen in patients with glomerulonephritis treated over long periods of time with immunosuppressive drugs.
abstract: In vitro reactivity of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweek mitogen (PWM) was studied in 17 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis treated systematically over many months (average, 23 months) with immunosuppressive drugs (prednisone, indomethacin, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide). Blastic transformation of lymphocytes in cultures stimulated with PHA was tested three times: before beginning of treatment, during the course of therapy with full doses, and after prolonged ambulatory treatment with maintenance doses. The degree of blastic transformation under the influence of PWM was determined only after periods of many months of treatment with chemical immunosuppresors. The results showed that neither treatment of chronic glomerulonephritis for several weeks with full doses, nor subsequent prolonged administration (for periods of tens of months) of maintenance doses of immunosuppresors regularly inhibit blastic transformation of lymphocytes stimulated with PHA. Similar observations were made using PWM after many months of immunosuppressive therapy. Reactivity of lymphocytes to PWM in all patients resembled reactivity to PHA.
mesh_terms: D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D037102:Lectins