Soluble factor(s) released by Concanavalin A activated lymph node lymphocytes induce proliferation and maturation of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) B lymphocytes.
An active supernatant (Ly Con A) was prepared by stimulating the normal human lymph node lymphocytes with Concanavalin A (Con A). Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 3 healthy subjects and from 8 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) were cultured in the presence of Con A and Ly Con A. The latter induced a significant DNA synthesis both in normal and CLL lymphocytes. A proliferative response was still present in CLL after T lymphocytes depletion. The Con A and Ly Con A treatment also induced morphological changes in CLL lymphocytes consistent with plasma cell differentiation. In 3 cases the appearance of cytoplasmic light chains was detected by immunofluorescence. These findings suggest that peripheral blood B lymphocytes from CLL patients can be stimulated to maturation when helper factor(s) released by mitogen activated lymph node lymphocytes are provided.
D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology*; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000032:analysis; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008222:Lymphokines; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains; D008222:Lymphokines; C021649:concanavalin A-induced helper factors; D003208:Concanavalin A; D013936:Thymidine