title: Lymphocyte activation and induction of interferon gamma in human leucocyte cultures by the mitogen in Mycoplasma arthritidis supernatant (MAS).
abstract: This report succinctly summarizes a number of experiments in which human leucocytes were activated by the mitogen in the supernatant of cultured Mycoplasma arthritidis (MAS). Lymphocytes from a large number of donors were found to be reactive when the two parameters of lymphoproliferation and of production of gamma interferon were analysed. Lymphocytes of cord blood origin were also reactive in lymphoproliferation. Their interferon production was low, but this has been established previously for mitogens in general. During the course of the studies, different batches of MAS were tested, including most recently a purified preparation. All of these were active. Removal of accessory cells adherent to nylon wool column abolished MAS reactivity, whereas it has little effect on lymphoproliferation induced by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). MAS reactivity was also strongly reduced when monoclonal anti-HLA-DR antibodies were added to the leucocyte cultures.
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008934:Mitogens; D007371:Interferon-gamma