title: In vitro effects of retinoids on murine thymus-dependent and thymus-independent mitogenesis.
abstract: The effects of three retinoids: all-trans-retinoic acid (RA), 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cis-RA), and N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR) on murine splenic lymphocyte proliferative responses to mitogens were evaluated. The responses to T-cell mitogens, PHA and Con A, and a T-cell-dependent B-cell mitogen, PWM were significantly potentiated by these retinoids. However proliferative responses to a B-cell mitogen, Escherichia coli LPS were unaffected or inhibited. All three retinoids at concentrations ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-15) M significantly potentiated Con A-induced proliferative responses. In response to PWM, 10(-13) M RA, 10(-12) M 13-cis RA, and 10(-11) M 4-HPR were the lowest concentrations producing significant potentiation. Endpoint concentrations of retinoids significantly potentiating responses to PHA were; 10(-9) M RA, 10(-8) M 13-cis RA, and 10(-6) M 4-HPR. These responses were independent of retinol contained in fetal calf serum supplemented medium since responses were reproduced in serum-free medium devoid of retinol. Optimal potentiation by retinoids of responses to these T-cell-dependent mitogens were found at superoptimal concentrations of mitogen suggesting a selective inhibition of T-suppressor cells. Thus, potentiation of T-cell-dependent mitogen responses provides the most sensitive biological assay yet described for detection of retinoid activity and is a reproducible system to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms of retinoid-mediated immunopotentiation.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000955:Antigens, T-Independent / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D012176:Retinoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000955:Antigens, T-Independent; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D012176:Retinoids; D003208:Concanavalin A