title: Activation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes by a trypanosome-derived mitogen.
abstract: Activation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes from unsensitized donors by fractions of T.b rhodesiense has been demonstrated in vitro. Both T and B cells were stimulated to differentiate into blast cells. Purified T cells failed to proliferate, but did so when mitomycin C-treated non-T cells were added. Non-T cell proliferation (weak in comparison to the T cell response) was shown to be T-dependent. In unseparated cell cultures. cultures, IgM synthesis was enhanced, whilst IgG synthesis was unaltered. However, reconstitution of non-T cells with equal number of irradiated T cells resulted in enhanced IgG synthesis. Thus neither T nor B cells were activated directly, but required the co-operation of accessory cells to proliferate. The role of monocytes in the regulation of this response requires further assessment.
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation; D008297:Male; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008934:Mitogens; D008937:Mitomycins