Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letters to Editor
  • Published:

Evidence for Transformation of Human B Lymphocytes by PHA

Abstract

PHYTOHAEMAGGLUTININ (PHA) induced transformation of lymphocytes is generally considered specific for thymus derived (T) cells. Thus in neonatally thymectomized mice1 and chickens2 the PHA response is reduced or absent, and studies with chromosome markers3 and anti-theta antibody4,5 indicate that, in the mouse, the PHA responding cells are thymus derived. In Man, absence of the thymus (DiGeorge's syndrome) is associated with a diminished or absent PHA response6,7 which would appear to be evidence for specific T cell transformation. Here we present evidence, however, suggesting that in Man, B cells do respond to PHA.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Rodey, G. E., and Good, R. A., Int. Arch. Allergy, 36, 399 (1969).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Greaves, M. F., Roitt, I. M., and Rose, M. E., Nature, 220, 293 (1968).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Doenhoff, M. J., Davies, A. J. S., Leuchars, E., and Wallis, V., Proc. Roy. Soc. London, B, 176, 69 (1970).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Owen, J. J. T., Hunter, P., and Raff, M. C., Transplantation, 12, 231 (1971).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Jones, G., Clin. Exp. Immunol., 12, 391 (1972).

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Kretschner, R., Say, B., Brown, D., and Rosen, F. S., New Engl. J.Med., 279, 1295 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Lischner, H. W., Dunnett, H. H., and DiGeorge, A. M., Nature, 214, 580 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Harris, R., and Ukaejiofo, E. O., Lancet, ii, 327 (1969).

  9. Crone, M., Koch, C., and Simonsen, M., Transplant. Rev., 10, 36 (1972).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Schlossman, S. F., and Hudson, L., J. Immunol., 110, 313 (1973).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Moller, G., J. Exp. Med., 157, 415 (1961).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Festenstein, H., Lancet, i, 182 (1968).

  13. Biberfeld, P., Biberfeld, G., and Perlmann, P., Exp. Cell Res., 66, 177 (1971).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Thomas, D. B., and Phillips, B., Clin. Exp. Immunol., (in the press).

  15. Greaves, M. F., and Bauminger, S., Nature, 235, 55, 67 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Anderson, J., Edelman, G. M., Moller, G., and Sjoberg, O., Eur. J. Immunol., 2, 1972 (in the press).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

PHILLIPS, B., ROITT, I. Evidence for Transformation of Human B Lymphocytes by PHA. Nature New Biology 241, 254–256 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio241254a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio241254a0

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing