title: Leucoagglutinin induces differential proliferation of lymphocyte subsets.
abstract: In this study we have established culture conditions that allow the preferential and rapid expansion of either T cell receptor (TCR)+/CD3+16- T lymphocytes or TCR-/CD3-16+ natural killer (NK) cells, or the non-selective outgrowth of both subsets. Optimal proliferation of lymphocytes was obtained using a combination of irradiated allogeneic peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and irradiated Epstein Barr virus (EBV) transformed lymphoblastoid B cell lines (B-LCL). Addition of 1 microgram/ml leucoagglutinin to the culture medium induced a preferential outgrowth of TCR+/CD3+16- T lymphocytes. The proportion of TCR-/CD3-16+ NK cells was decreased to 5% or less, although still a 2000-fold multiplication of TCR-/CD3-16+ NK cells was obtained at day 13. Without leucoagglutinin a 1000-fold increase of about 70% pure TCR-/CD3-16+ NK cells was obtained at day 13. Intermediate concentrations of leucoagglutinin (0.1-0.3 micrograms/ml) resulted in a non-selective expansion of both NK cells and T cells. Irrespective whether leucoagglutinin was added or not, the number of TCR+/CD3+8+ lymphocytes increased more rapidly relative to the TCR+/CD3+4+ lymphocytes resulting in an increased TCR+/CD3+8+ population size. Also under limiting dilution conditions leucoagglutinin increased the frequency of proliferating cells. In contrast to the preferential outgrowth of TCR+/CD3+8+ lymphocytes in bulk cultures, approximately 80% of the clones generated was TCR+/CD3+4+, demonstrating a growth promoting effect of TCR+/CD3+4+ lymphocytes on TCR+/CD3+8+ lymphocytes in PBL bulk cultures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Dr. Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Goedegebuure
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van de Griend
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Ronteltap
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Bolhuis
mesh_terms: D000373:Agglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype; D011506:Proteins
chemical_list: D000373:Agglutinins; D015415:Biomarkers; D003470:Culture Media; D011506:Proteins; C100155:leukoagglutinins, leukocytes