Related Experiment Videos
Production of basic fetoprotein in human peripheral lymphocytes during blastic transformation
Y Fujita1, N Fujita, T Nakamura
1Second Department of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology
|October 1, 1992
Summary
Basic fetoprotein (BFP) is produced by activated human lymphocytes and in lymphocytic leukemia cells. This finding offers a new in vitro model for studying BFP
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Basic fetoprotein (BFP) is a molecule with unclear functions in lymphocytes.
- Blastic transformation is a key process in lymphocyte activation and proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate BFP production in lymphocytes during activation and blastic transformation.
- To explore the role of BFP in lymphocytic leukemia.
Main Methods:
- Culturing peripheral blood lymphocytes with mitogens.
- Measuring extracellular and intracellular BFP using serial assays and flow cytometry.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of lymph nodes and serum BFP levels in leukemia patients.
Main Results:
- Mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes showed increased intracellular BFP within 24 hours and extracellular BFP from 72 hours.
- B cells were identified as producers of BFP.
- Elevated intracellular BFP was observed in leukaemic cells from some patients.
Conclusions:
- BFP is actively produced by activated human lymphocytes and in lymphocytic leukemia cells.
- BFP production during blastic transformation provides a novel in vitro model for BFP research.
- BFP labeling may offer new avenues for lymphocyte studies.