Potentiation of lymphocyte activation by colchicine
Stenzel, K.H.; Schwartz, R.; Rubin, A.L.; Novogrodsky, A.
Journal of Immunology 121(3): 863-865
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 211166 Document Number: 138120
Proliferation of human lymphocytes induced by IO4- was potentiated by 30 min exposure to colchicine (10-6 M), whereas the response to ConA was inhibited. Treatment with colchicine before or after IO4- modification had similar enhancing effects. Lumicolchicine does not alter proliferative responses. In addition to the proliferation of IO4--oxidized cells, irradiated IO4--modified lymphocytes induced proliferation when mixed with untreated lymphocytes. Enhancement occurred in both these conditions only with IO4--modified cells were treated with colchicine. Preliminary data indicated that proliferation in mixed lymphocyte cultures is potentiated when either stimulating or responding cells are pretreated with colchicine. These findings suggest a selective stimulatory effect of colchicine on lymphocyte responses induced by cell-cell contact. Agents that modify microtubular assemblies might regulate the induction of immune responses that involve cellular interactions.