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Quantitative aspects of the feeder cell phenomenon: mechanistic implications
1Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi 39762.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|February 15, 1988
Summary
Feeder cells support lymphocyte growth through thiol compounds. This study confirms thiols are critical but also reveals feeder cells can support lymphocytes even without detectable thiols, suggesting an alternative mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Feeder cells are crucial for supporting lymphocyte proliferation in vitro.
- A proposed mechanism suggests feeder cells supply cysteine, a thiol compound, to lymphocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of thiols in the feeder cell phenomenon.
- To explore alternative mechanisms if thiol supply alone cannot explain feeder cell function.
Main Methods:
- Assessed thiol production by four feeder cell lines.
- Correlated thiol production levels with the ability to support CTLL-2 lymphocyte cell line growth.
- Manipulated thiol production using lipopolysaccharide and homocysteate.
Main Results:
- Feeder cell thiol production levels directly correlated with their ability to support CTLL-2 cells.
- Enhanced thiol production increased CTLL-2 support, while decreased production reduced it.
- Significant CTLL-2 growth support was observed even with undetectable thiol levels from feeder cells.
Conclusions:
- Thiols are a critical component of the feeder cell phenomenon.
- The feeder cell effect may involve mechanisms beyond direct thiol supply.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the alternative mechanisms involved.