DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD B LYMPHOCYTES

Abstract

Human B[bone marrow-derived]-lymphocyte differentiation was studied by measuring the capacity of such cells, isolated from peripheral blood, to synthesize and secrete Ig[immunoglobulin] after pokeweed [mitogen] stimulation. Results shows that a maximum incorporation of [3H]-thymidine took place 2 days before the appearance of detectable Ig-secreting cells. On the 7th day after pokeweed stimulation, when Ig synthesis and secretion are at a maximum, [3H]-thymidine uptake was low. Since inhibition of DNA synthesis 3 days after pokeweed stimulation completely prevents the generation of Ig-secreting plasma cells, initial DNA synthesis is apparently essential before Ig-secreting plasma cells can develop in response to pokeweed stimulation.