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The nature of the cells generating B‐Lymphocyte colonies in vitro
Author(s) -
Metcalf D.,
Wilson J. W.,
Shortman K.,
Miller J. F. A. P.,
Stocker J.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1040880112
Subject(s) - spleen , in vitro , biology , lymph node , lymphocyte , microbiology and biotechnology , agar , immunology , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics
Abstract B‐lymphocyte colonies were grown in semi‐solid agar from mouse spleen or lymph node cells in the presence of mercaptoethanol with or without added sheep red cells. High levels of colony‐forming cells were present in the spleen or normal mice and nu/nu (athymic) mice but colony‐forming cells were rare in the thymus and not detected in activated T‐lymphocyte populations. Colony‐forming cells were θ‐negative and most exhibited Fc receptors. Most colony‐forming cells had the sedimentation velocity of small lymphocytes, were non‐adherent and had a buoyant density similar to B‐lymphocytes. Colony‐forming cells were radiosensitive (D o 60 rads) and sensitive to cortisone. Colony formation was potentiated by the addition of adherent spleen cells or peritoneal macrophages. It is concluded that most cells forming B‐lymphocyte colonies are themselves characterisable as B‐lymphocytes.