[Effect of the superoxide radical on lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by a mitogen]

Administration of superoxide dismutase or a complex of divalent copper with lysine to human and mice lymphocyte cultures was shown to prevent from the lymphocyte proliferative response to concanavalin A stimulation. The inhibition grade dependence on the inhibitor concentration in culture medium was studied. It is concluded that active oxygen forms produced by macrophages may be factors defining the value of proliferative response of lymphoid cells under mitogen stimulation.