Comparative mitogenic response of old and young rhesus monkey T cells to lectin from Erythrina cristagalli.
The lectin (EC) from the coral tree, E. cristagalli, while less mitogenic on a molar or weight basis than PHA or ConA, strongly activates both Rhesus monkey and human T cells. The optimal mitogenic concentrations for both Rhesus and human T cells are 0.25, 2.5, and 25 micrograms/ml, respectively, for PHA, ConA, and EC. Aged Rhesus T cells were profoundly suppressed in mitogenic response to EC (approx. 80%) compared to young Rhesus cells. However, in the presence of supplemental interleukin 2 (20 U/ml), the age-related defect was reversed; the average mitogenic response of the old Rhesus T cells was increased sixfold.
Eylar
E H
EH
Department of Biochemistry, Ponce School of Medicine, Puerto Rico.
Molina
F
F
Quiñones
C
C
Zapata
M
M
Kessler
M
M
D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D004895:Erythrina / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D037102:Lectins; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D003208:Concanavalin A