Klebsiella pneumoniae stimulate highly purified human blood B cells to mature into plaque forming cells without prior proliferation

W. L. Gross, A. Rucks

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The plaque forming cell (PFC) and proliferative responses of human peripheral blood lymphocytes and highly purified blood B cells induced by pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and group A streptococcal cell membranes (A-ScM) were compared with the responses triggered by various cell preparations of Klebsiella pneumoniae K 43 (Klebs). The number of PFC was determined by a protein A plaque assay, and lymphoproliferation was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation. In cell cultures stimulated with PWM and A-ScM, lymphocyte proliferation appeared to be associated with the generation of PFC. Klebs caused development of PFC without measurable prior proliferation. Whereas the response to PWM and A-ScM was absolutely T cell-dependent, highly purified B cells generated PFC when incubated with Klebs. Moreover, restitution of T cells to the B cell fraction did not augment (or diminish) the number of plaques. These studies establish that Klebs cell envelope structures contain a T cell-independent polyclonal B cell activator for human B lymphocytes in a high stage of differentiation. Use of this probe should provide further insight into the cellular interactions involved in the differentiation of antibody forming cells in humans.

Original languageEnglish
JournalClinical and Experimental Immunology
Volume52
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)372-380
Number of pages9
ISSN0009-9104
Publication statusPublished - 1983

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

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