[Relation between RNA-synthesis and electrophoretic mobility of peripheral lymphocytes (author's transl)]

PHA and pokeweed mitogen increase the RNA-synthesis and decrease the electrophoretic mobility (e.m.) of normal peripheral lymphocytes. The increase in RNA-synthesis is not observed culturing lymphocytes from some patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In these cases the electrophoretic mobility remains unchanged. In some patients with CLL an increase in RNA-synthesis develops later than in normal controls. Correspondingly the decrease of the e.m. can be observed with delay. Erythrocytes and thrombocytes are not influenced by the mitogens. Since an increase in RNA-synthesis and decrease of the e.m. is also observed in mixed lymphocyte cultures without the presence of mitogens it is followed that the increase in RNA-synthesis is responsible for the decrease of the e.m.