In vitro IgE-secreting cells in man. I. Mitogen-independent and -dependent subpopulations

In vitro IgE secretion by atopic and normal peripheral-blood lymphocytes was examined in culture with pokeweed mitogen or Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan-I (StaCw) or without mitogen. IgE secreted in culture supernatants was measured with double antibody radioimmunoassay. Enumeration of IgE-secreting cells was made by a protein-A plaque assay. IgE was detected in increasing quantities in supernatants of cultured lymphocytes without mitogen up to the 12th day. IgE-plaque-forming cells were formed by the lymphocytes in large numbers on days 4-7 in cultures with mitogen. These results suggest that not only mitogen-independent but also mitogen-dependent subpopulations may exist in the IgE-secreting cells.