title: Modulation of SCE induction and cell proliferation by 2-mercaptoethanol in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated rat lymphocytes.
abstract: 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME) is used as a medium supplement to enhance the proliferation of lymphocytes cultured in vitro. In this study, we have examined the effects of 2-ME on cell growth and on SCE induction in cultures of unstimulated and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated Fischer 344 rat lymphocytes. There were virtually no metaphases detected in cells cultured without PHA. In PHA-stimulated cultures, 2-ME decreased SCE frequency but it enhanced SCE frequency in the presence of 5 to 12.5 microM bromodeoxyuridine (BRdU). Both mitotic and replication indices were increased in the PHA/2-ME system. The levels of incorporated exogenous thymidine, in the presence of 2-ME, were relatively low in unstimulated cells, suggesting that 2-ME is not mitogenic for T-cells. However, 2-ME enhanced PHA-induced response of T-cells as evidenced by increased levels of thymidine incorporation into cellular DNA. The growth-promoting effects and the decrease in SCE frequency caused by 2-ME upon PHA stimulation indicate that 2-ME may alter the nature of interaction between PHA and cellular activating properties or the replicative processes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Genetic Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aidoo
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: O E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Domon
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: McGarrity
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Kodell
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Casciano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D013936:Thymidine