Levamisole and human lymphocyte surface markers.

Abstract

The action of various concentrations of levamisole on normal human lymphocytes was investigated in vitro. The action of levamisole (10(-1) mg-10(-8) mg%) upon rosette formation was studied using two rosette assays with SRBC (the active and the total T-rosette tests) to quantify T cells and the EAC assay to quantify B cells. Levamisole at only 10(-3) mg% significantly increased the percentage of both active and total T cells. In sharp contrast, levamisole between 10(-2) and 10(-7) mg% significantly decreased the EAC percentage. It is concluded that levamisole promotes a better expressivity of T-cell receptor and decreases the expressivity of C3 receptor.