The effect of iron and transferrin on the response of serum-free cultures of mouse lymphocytes to concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide.
Incorporation of [14C]-thymidine into mouse lymph node cells stimulated with either Con-canavalin A or lipopolysaccharide in serum-free medium was markedly enhanced by the addition of transferrin. Thymidine incorporation was similar in transferrin-containing serum-free medium and in medium containing 5% foetal calf serum. Transferrins from both homologous and heterologous species were equally effective, but iron-binding half-molecules of transferrin, and low molecular weight iron chelates produced no enhancement. The optimal response was obtained with 10--50 micrograms/ml of transferrin, and with 30%--70% iron saturation. Although the major function of transferrin in lymphocyte cultures is probably to supply iron, it may also fulfil other functions.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008970:Molecular Weight; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D014168:Transferrin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D014168:Transferrin; D003208:Concanavalin A; D007501:Iron; D013936:Thymidine