Ecteinascidia turbinata extracts inhibit DNA synthesis in lymphocytes after mitogenic stimulation by lectins

Aqueous ethanol extract of a tunicate which was previously found to exert antitumor and immunosuppressive activities in vivo was tested for its effect on normal human lymphocytes in vitro. The extract suppressed the uptake of tritiated thymidine by lymphocytes stimulated with mitogen. This suppressive effect did not require continuous presence of the extract. Treatment of lymphocytes prior to mitogenic stimulation resulted in suppressive effect. The fact that suppression by the extract could also be achieved 24 hr after exposure to mitogen, an interval which was found to suffice for the attainment of maximal commitment for blastogenic transformation indicates that Ete can act at a stage subsequent to the binding of the lectin and elicitation of a mitogenic signal(s).