T-cell-dependent polyclonal activation by soluble mycobacterial extracts of B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations from leprosy patients and normal donors.
Soluble extracts of ultrasonically disrupted mycobacteria (including Mycobacterium leprae) cause strong T-cell-dependent, Cyclosporin A-sensitive, polyclonal B-cell activation, in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell preparations. It is not enhanced by cortisol. Cells from cases of lepromatous leprosy show no polyclonal B-cell activation in the presence of extracts of M. leprae, although they respond normally to other mycobacterial species. The polyclonal B-cell activation response to the M. leprae extract, of a small group of normal leprosy contacts, was reduced relative to that of non-contacts.
D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007918:Leprosy / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000939:Epitopes; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D007213:Indomethacin