[Net K+(86Rb+) uptake of human lymphocytes following phytohemagglutinin stimulation]

We tried to develop a short-time incubation method for the early detection of lymphocyte stimulation due to lectins and antigens. For this purpose the netto-K+(86Rb+)- uptake of (1) nonstimulated, (2) phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) activated and (3) potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) activated human lymphocytes was examined by means of 86Rb+ as a marker. The relative netto-K+-uptake was reduced by 38 per cent (p less than or equal to 0.01) on average after the incubation with PHA. After the incubation with K2Cr2O7 the 86Rb+-values differed, however, only unessentially from the nonstimulated controls in one patient sensibilized by K2Cr2O7. We concluded from our results that this method is not suitable for the early detection of cell mediated immune reactions.