Mitogenic and suppressive activity of mycelia from gram-positive bacteria on murine and human lymphocytes.
Mycelia from several strains of Streptomyces were potent B-lymphocyte mitogens for spleen cells from 3 inbred mouse strains (BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, C3H/nu/nu), inducing lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation into immunoglobulin-secreting cells. Streptomyces mycelia were also mitogenic towards human peripheral blood lymphocytes, where maximal stimulation was found on days 5 to 7. On the other hand, human lymphocytes incubated with the mycelia for 3 days, but not the supernatants of these cultures, strongly inhibited mixed leukocyte reactions. Irradiation experiments suggest the induction of both radioresistant and radiolabile suppressor-cell populations by the components.
D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008934:Mitogens