Pokeweed mitogen activated suppressor T-cells preferentially reduce immunoglobulin secretion by differentiated B-lymphocytes

• Published in: Immunology letters Vol. 13; no. 5; pp. 273 - 279
• Main Authors: Pryjma, Juliusz, Flad, Hans-Dieter, Ernst, Martin, Pituch-Noworolska, Anna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.10.1986
• Subjects: Antibody-Producing Cells - drug effects; Antibody-Producing Cells - immunology; B-cell differentiation; B-Lymphocytes - drug effects; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; Cell Differentiation; Hemolytic Plaque Technique; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects; Pokeweed Mitogens - immunology; Pokeweed Mitogens - pharmacology; suppression of immunoglobulin secretion; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology; B-cell differentiation; suppression of immunoglobulin secretion
• ISSN: 0165-2478; 1879-0542
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-2478(86)90113-6

In contrast to pokeweed mitogen (PWM), S. aureus Cowan I (SAC) does not activate suppressor T-cells in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, although the SAC induced response leading to the appearance of immunoglobulin secreting cells (ISC) is suppressed by PWM activated suppressor T-cells. Therefore, cultures co-stimulated by SAC and PWM were chosen to find out which stage of the SAC triggered B-cell response is controlled by PWM activated suppressor T-cells. By incorporation of [ 3H]thymidine and determination of B-cell number in culture it was shown that neither PWM itself nor PWM induced suppressor T-cells interfere with SAC induced B-cell proliferation. The final stages of B-cell maturation were monitored by parallel evaluation of cells producing immunoglobulins (cells with intracytoplasmic immunoglobulins) and secreting them (plaque assay). It was shown that PWM activated suppressor T-cells reduce the number of ISC more effectively than the number of immunoglobulin producing cells, indicating that these two features of differentiated B-lymphocytes may be independently controlled.