The effect of azathioprine on terminal differentiation of human B lymphocytes.
The effect of azathioprine on the terminal differentiation of human B cells triggered in vitro by pokeweed mitogen and S. aureus Cowan I bacteria was studied. AZ caused an enhancement of Ig synthesis in its lower concentrations, a phenomenon dependent on the inactivation of suppressor T cells. Higher drug concentrations impaired T-helper function as well as B cell differentiation of peripheral blood, lymph node, and spleen lymphocytes.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D001379:Azathioprine