title: Alpha 1-microglobulin is mitogenic for guinea pig lymphocytes.
abstract: Guinea pig alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1-m) was found to exert mitogenic effects on guinea pig lymphocytes, i.e. peritoneal exudate lymphocytes (PEL) or T lymphocytes from regional or mesenteric lymph nodes (LNL). On the other hand, spleen T lymphocytes did not respond to alpha 1-m. Stimulation of LNL required the presence of accessory cells. The stimulatory effect was strain-specific: alpha 1-m clearly induced proliferation of lymphocytes from Strain 2 guinea pigs, whereas Strain 13 lymphocytes responded poorly or not at all. Moreover, alpha 1-m inhibited antigen-driven proliferation of guinea pig lymphocytes. None of the effects described were species-specific, e.g. human alpha 1-m exerted similar effects on the guinea pig lymphocytes. These data indicate that alpha 1-m may be involved in the regulation of lymphocyte activation.
mesh_terms: D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D000941:Antigens; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D008934:Mitogens; C016001:alpha-1-microglobulin