title: Selective triggering of human T and B lymphocytes in vitro by polyclonal mitogens.
abstract: Human lymphocytes from spleen and tonsils have been cultured with a variety of polyclonal mitogens. Cultures consisted of either unseparated T and B cells or alternatively purified T or B lymphocytes. The purity of the starting cell populations and the origin of activated lymphoblasts was analyzed with a panel of seven markers which discriminate between T and B cells. The selectivity of the lymphocyte responses was influenced by cell populations in a given culture, the mitogen used, and to a limited extent on culture conditions. Purified T lymphocytes from tonsil and spleen responded to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Purified B cells from spleen responded well to PWM, weakly to SEB and lipopolysaccharide, but not at all to PHA. Tonsil B cells responded weakly to PWM and SEB but not to PHA. Some B lymphocytes do respond to PHA in the presence of activated T cells. These results are discussed in relation to previously reported selective responses of human cells and parallel studies in animal species.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002999:Clone Cells; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013210:Staphylococcus; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D004768:Enterotoxins; D037102:Lectins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008934:Mitogens