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Con-A-activated T cells secrete factors with polyclonal B-cell-activating properties
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology
|January 1, 1979
Summary
Concanavalin A (Con A) stimulates polyclonal antibody synthesis in spleen cells, requiring T cells but not macrophages. This Con A effect on antibody production is independent of DNA synthesis induction.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Concanavalin A (Con A) is a plant lectin known to activate lymphocytes.
- Polyclonal antibody synthesis is a key immune response mediated by B cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of T cells and macrophages in Con A-induced polyclonal antibody synthesis.
- To characterize the factors responsible for Con A-mediated antibody production in vitro.
Main Methods:
- In vitro culture of normal mouse spleen cells with Concanavalin A.
- Assessing antibody synthesis and DNA synthesis.
- Using spleen cells from nude mice and C3H/HeJ mice.
- Analyzing supernatants from Con A-activated cells.
Main Results:
- Con A induced polyclonal antibody synthesis at concentrations lower than those for DNA synthesis.
- T cells were essential, while macrophages were not required.
- Supernatants from Con A-activated T cells induced antibody synthesis but not DNA synthesis.
- Supernatants showed antigen-specific enhancement of secondary antibody responses.
Conclusions:
- T cells are critical for Con A-induced polyclonal antibody synthesis.
- A soluble factor produced by T cells mediates this antibody response.
- This T cell-derived factor may play a role in specific immune responses.