Polyclonal human T lymphocyte activation results in the secondary functional activation of the human B lymphocyte.
The polyclonal T lymphocyte activators Con A and PHA were demonstrated to induce secretion of IgM and IgG as well as IgA antibodies in cultures of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. A similar response was seen in one-way mixed lymphocyte cultures and the kinetics, dose-response characteristics and optimal culture conditions are presented. The presence of functional T lymphocytes is a prerequisite for in vitro B lymphocyte activation in response to T lymphocyte mitogens. A narrow dose-response profile is a characteristic for both Con A and PHA and polyclonal B cell activation occurred at what have been previously regarded as suboptimal concentrations of these agents. The use of higher doses of these activators failed to generate immunoglobulin-secreting cells despite the presence of early and optimal levels of DNA synthesis in the cultures.
D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008934:Mitogens; D004247:DNA