Effect of cimetidine on burst-promoting activity of normal T lymphocytes.
The effect of cimetidine, an inhibitor of suppressor T lymphocytes, on the burst-promoting activity (BPA) of normal T lymphocytes has been studied. Cimetidine has been shown to increase the BPA of normal T lymphocytes, both when added to the culture and when T lymphocytes were preincubated for 1 h with it. Cimetidine had no direct effect on the in vitro growth of burst-forming units (BFU-E). Our results show that CD8 suppressor T lymphocytes inhibit the in vitro growth of BFU-E in normal conditions, either directly or through inhibition of BPA of CD4 helper T lymphocytes. Cimetidine has proved to be a useful tool for investigating the hematological role of T-lymphocyte subsets in normal and pathological conditions.
Morra
L
L
Chair of Medical Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Italy.
Moccia
F
F
Casti
P
P
Bessone
G
G
Ponassi
G A
GA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D003470:Culture Media; D002927:Cimetidine