title: Use of streptokinase as a recall antigen for lymphocyte proliferation testing in vitro.
abstract: The use of streptokinase (SK) as a recall antigen (Ag) for stimulation of human lymphocyte proliferation in vitro was evaluated. SK is a potent stimulant, inducing a greater response than three other Ags, tetanus toxoid, Candida albicans extract, or streptolysin. The optimum stimulatory concentration is 1000 U/ml, and peak stimulation occurs between days 6 and 8. Human cord-blood lymphocytes do not respond to SK, suggesting that it is an Ag and not a mitogen. The response rate in an adult population was 82%, higher than the rate of two other Ags tested (tetanus toxoid or Candida). These findings demonstrate the ability of SK to act as a potent recall Ag for human lymphocyte proliferation in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y. 10461.
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Youkeles
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Soliman
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Rosenstreich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000276:immunology*; D013301:Streptolysins / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D013301:Streptolysins; D013300:Streptokinase