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Intercellular communication between lymphocytes in vitro . Fluorescein‐permeable junctions, their enhancement by lysolecithin and their reduction by a synthetic immunosuppressive lysolecithin analogue
Author(s) -
Sellin D.,
Wallach D. F. H.,
Weltzien H. U.,
Resch K.,
Sprenger E.,
Fischer H.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
european journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1521-4141
pISSN - 0014-2980
DOI - 10.1002/eji.1830040307
Subject(s) - fluorescein , biology , in vitro , intracellular , in vivo , biophysics , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , immunology , fluorescence , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics
Abstract We demonstrate that (anti‐immunoglobulin‐stimulated) lymphocytes can form transient fluorescein‐permeable contacts with unstimulated cells, allowing rapid intercellular flow of fluorescein. We quantified the process by fluorescence microscopy and flow‐cytofluorometry and reason that the phenomenon might reflect cooperation between lymphocytes; alternative explanations are not excluded. Lysolecithin and the derivative 1‐O‐hexadecyl‐propanediol‐3‐phosphorylcholine increase the fluorescein transfer between stimulated and non‐stimulated rabbit lymph node lymphocytes; both agents function as immunological adjuvants in vivo and in vitro . In contrast, 1‐O‐decyl‐propanediol‐3‐phosphoryl‐choline, an immunosuppressant, reduces fluorescein transfer. These findings support the contention that cell junctions might participate in the lymphocyte cooperation occurring during immune stimulation.