Fetal calf serum-mediated toxicity of human polyamines to lymphocytes

The toxicity of polyamines in the presence of fetal calf serum (FCS) to resting and stimulated human lymphocytes was investigated. Polyamines were cytotoxic to resting lymphocytes in the presence of FCS in a dose-dependent manner. The order of toxicity was: spermine greater than spermidine greater than putrescine. Blastogenic responses of human lymphocytes were also suppressed by spermine and spermidine but not putrescine. The lymphocytes which respond to PWM were most sensitive to polyamine toxicity. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and mannitol were ineffective in preventing the toxicity of polyamines. The sensitivity to polyamine toxicity of lymphocytes varied with age of the lymphocyte donors.