Growth of B cell colonies independent of T cells: a new perspective.
Growth of human peripheral blood B cells in a B cell colony assay system is a useful technique to study the function of B cell biology. In the initial reports, T and B cells were admixed in the culture system, prior to which the T cells were treated with mitomycin or irradiation to prevent their proliferation. There were reports that optimal growth of B cell colonies required T cells to be in contact with the B cells. However, we were able to grow B cell colonies physically separated from T cells which were placed on a filter. We speculated then that T cells contacted B cells via pseudopods through the pores of the filter. We now report the growth of B cell colonies independent of T cells and conclude that B cell colony growth depends upon a critical number of B cells plated rather than on T cell help.
Department of Medicine, Camp Hill Medical Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
L A
LA
Fernandez
J M
JM
MacSween
D A
DA
Robson
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D004261:DNA Replication; D006801:Humans; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology