Quantitative nucleic acid changes during phytohaemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte transformation in vitro. Dependence of the response on phytohaemagglutinin/serum ratio

Abstract

1. Pig and human blood lymphocytes have been grown in culture without replenishment of medium, and stimulated to transform by phytohaemagglutinin. Quantitative nucleic acid changes during this process have been used as an index of transformation. 2. On the first day, cells attach to glass; then they detach and continue transforming. 3. The degree of transformation is dependent on the phytohaemagglutinin/serum ratio, and is independent of cell concentration within the range 0·5×106−2·0×106 cells/ml. 4. At low phytohaemagglutinin/serum ratios there is no response; at high phytohaemagglutinin/serum ratios, inhibition appears after the cells have been cultured for a day.