The effect of irradiation on T-cell suppression of ELISA-determined Ig production by human blood B-cells in vitro.

Abstract

Human blood B-lymphocytes were co-cultured with in vitro irradiated allogeneic or autologous T-lymphocytes in the presence of pokeweed mitogen (PWM). The production of IgG, IgM and IgA, as assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was increased 2--7 times, as compared to values obtained with non-irradiated T-lymphocytes. It is suggested that the increase of Ig production is due to the selective radiosensitivity of T-lymphocytes with suppressor function.