RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Human Lymphocyte Responses Are Enhanced by Culture at 40°C
JF The Journal of Immunology
JO J. Immunol.
FD American Association of Immunologists
SP 691
OP 694
VO 121
IS 2
A1 Smith, J. Bruce
A1 Knowlton, Regina P.
A1 Agarwal, Shyam S.
YR 1978
UL http://www.jimmunol.org/content/121/2/691.abstract
AB In vitro responses of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were found to be markedly enhanced by culture at 40°C rather than at the conventional temperature of 37°C. We studied proliferative responses of lymphocytes by activation by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and allogeneic lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) and found enhancement of DNA synthesis at the higher temperature. Cytotoxic T cell responses to allogeneic cells were also enhanced when MLC was done at 40°C. These enhanced immune responses appear to be due in part to increased numbers of participating cells. If in vitro lymphocyte responses correlate with in vivo responses, then fever associated with infection or tumor may be beneficial whereas that associated with autoimmune disorders may have a detrimental effect.