INDUCTION OF HUMAN ANTIGEN-SPECIFIC AND NONSPECIFIC HELPER FACTORS INVITRO

Abstract

Human peripheral blood leukocytes, cultured for 4-6 days with the appropriate concentration of protein or synthetic polypeptide antigen [Ag] yield helper cells. These cells, after a further 24 h incubation with the appropriate Ag, release helper factors which are of 2 types, Ag-specific and non-specific; a similar situation to that described in the mouse. These factors are assayed by their effects on the plaque-forming cell response of mouse spleen cells cultures in vitro. The potential applications of this new assay for human T [thymus-derived] cell function are discussed.