ENHANCEMENT OF THE INVITRO COLONY-FORMING CAPACITY OF HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES-T INDUCED BY LEVAMISOLE

Abstract

The colony-forming capacity of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells and of TG-depleted cell [T-cells depleted of the T-cell subset bearing receptors for the FC portion of IgG]suspensions induced by PHA [phytohemagglutinin] was investigated in the presence of different concentrations of levamisole. The drug enhanced significantly the number of colonies formed by both mononuclear cells and TG-depleted cells at concentrations ranging from 5 .times. 10-6 to 5 .times. 10-8 M. This stimulatory activity resulted from a direct effect on T cells; and adherent accessory cells were unaffected by the in vitro treatment with levamisole.