Phytomitogen- and antigen-induced blast transformation of feline lymphocytes
Cockerell, G.L.; Hoover, E.A.; LoBuglio, A.F.; Yon, D.S.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 36(10): 1489-1494
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 1190591 Document Number: 84676
A semiautomated microassay of blast transformation of feline lymphocytes is described. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from defibrinated blood and incubated at a concentration of 1 X 105 cells/culture. Blast transformation was measured by the incorporation of tritiated thymidine, to which the cells were exposed during the last 18 hours of incubation. Phytomitogens induced the greatest transformation after incubation for three days. The greatest stimulation was produced by 10 mu g concanavalin A (38- to 183-fold) followed by 4 mu g pokeweed mitogen (nine- to 51-fold), and finally phytohaemagglutinin-P (three to sixfold). Three of four cats sensitized to keyholed limpet hemocyanin responded when exposed to 50 mu g keyhole limpet hemocyanin in vitro, the greatest transformation occurring after incubation for four days. Lymphocyte blast transformation provides a convenient technique to assess lymphocyte function serially during experimentally induced immunologic alterations in the cat.