Activation of B lymphocytes by mycoplasma mitogen(s)

Various strains of the murine mycoplasma M. neurolyticum have been shown to induce extensive blast transformation of mouse lymphocytes, comparable in strength to mitogenicity exerted by these mycoplasma species on rat lymphocytes. The data summarized in this report demonstrate that this mitogenic effect is non-specific. Lymphoid cells from mycoplasma free, germ-free mice were activated to the same extent as those lymphocytes obtained from conventionally bred animals. Lymph node cell suspensions obtained from athymic nude mice were strongly activated by M. neurolyticum mitogen. Furthermore, mouse thymocytes and mouse T-cell enriched populations, were not stimulated by these mitogens. It was thus suggested that M. neurolyticum activates mouse B lymphocytes.