title: Stimulation of proliferation of murine lymphocytes by the calcium ionophore A 23187 in the absence of serum: the requirement for thiols.
abstract: The proliferation of mouse spleen cells and T-lymphocytes, initiated by the calcium ionophore A 23187 was studied by a serum-free culture technique. In contrast to Con A, A 23187 was capable of stimulating cells only if 2-mercaptoethanol, cysteine and glutathione (reduced form), respectively, were present in the culture medium. In the absence of one of these compounds a stimulating activity of A 23187 was observed only with high concentrations of cells (i.e., 10(7)/ml). With glutathione present, the cells could be stimulated only at concentrations of A 23187 which were found to be suboptimal in cultures with 2-mercaptoethanol. Human serum, fetal calf serum and bovine serum albumin shifted the active and optimally stimulating concentrations of A 23187 to higher values. A similar effect was observed with sera- and Con A-treated cells. The effect of sera and albumin was paralleled by a protecting effect of cells against high concentrations of A 23187.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D003208:Concanavalin A; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D000001:Calcimycin; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D005978:Glutathione