Effects of methyl-B12 on the in vitro immune functions of human T lymphocytes.
Studies were performed using an in vitro assay system to determine whether or not methyl-B12 could affect human T-cell function. When T cells were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and allogeneic B cells, methyl-B12 did not enhance T-cell proliferation. In contrast, remarkable enhancing effects of methyl-B12 on the proliferative response to concanavalin A (Con A) and autologous B cells at suboptimal concentrations were observed, ranging from 0.1 to 10 micrograms/ml. Concentrations of methyl-B12 sufficient to enhance cellular proliferation were able to enhance the activity of helper T cells for immunoglobulin synthesis of B cells by pokeweed mitogen. Furthermore, the presence of methyl-B12 significantly potentiated the induction of suppressor cells in Con A-activated cultures. These results suggest that methyl-B12 could modulate lymphocyte function through augmenting regulatory T-cell activities.
D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D003208:Concanavalin A; C019476:mecobalamin; D014805:Vitamin B 12