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 language | English |
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Journal | Clinical and Experimental Immunology |
Volume | 52 |
Issue number | 2 |
Pages (from-to) | 372-380 |
Number of pages | 9 |
ISSN | 0009-9104 |
Publication status | Published - 1983 |
Research Areas and Centers
- Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)