title: Stimulation of human lymphocytes by oxidized red blood cells (RBC) in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG).
abstract: In the present work, it is shown that oxidized red blood cells (RBC) in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a powerful cellular class-II MHC-free mitogen for human lymphocytes. Human lymphocytes were stimulated with oxidized autologous human RBC or sheep RBC in the absence or presence of PEG, M.W. 10,000. The RBC were oxidized with the enzyme combination neuraminidase-galactose oxidase or with sodium periodate. The presence of PEG strongly potentiated the response. Optimal stimulatory conditions were obtained with a 10:1 ratio of oxidized RBC to lymphocytes and a PEG concentration of 25 +/- 5%.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005692:Galactose Oxidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012756:Sheep; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005692:Galactose Oxidase; D009439:Neuraminidase