Effects of D-penicillamine on human cell lines

The effect of penicillamine on the proliferation and viability of human T, B and premacrophage/promyelocytic cell lines was evaluated. Whereas Raji cells and U937 cells were not negatively influenced by the addition of 0.03-0.97 mmol/l D-penicillamine (D-Pen, Trolovol, CAS 52-67-5), other cell lines such as H9, NC37 and HL60 were clearly impaired by concentrations between 0.12 and 0.49 mmol/l. Similar effects on the uptake of 3H-thymidine, 3H-uridine and 3H-leucine were observed with the addition of other stereoisomeric forms of penicillamine, D,L- and L-penicillamine to H9 cell cultures. The evaluation of cell number and viability by light microscopy revealed similar actions of penicillamine on cell cultures. By these means its repressing effect on Jurkat, NC37 and even on U937 became more transparent.