Lectin-stimulated lymphocyte responses: use and misuse in clinical research
Smith, C.J.; Edwards, A.E.; Gemmell, L.W.; Ferguson, B.J.; Gower, D.E.; Gough, J.D.
European Journal of Anaesthesiology 5(4): 269-278
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0265-0215 PMID: 3197711 Document Number: 310499
The use of mitogen stimulation assays in clinical research has increased rapidly during the last 25 years. However, little is understood about the mechanisms of action of mitogens. This, coupled with the complexity of the mitogen stimulation assay, has led to much misuse and abuse of this assay system. Data are presented that demonstrate the inherent variability of the assay system due to diurnal variation in the response of human lymphocytes to mitogen stimulation and to the variation in response between patients. It is argued that the use of the assay should be confined to rigorously controlled studies using either animal lymphocytes or paired samples from humans, one of which should be treated in vitro with test material.