Extracts of five arginine-utilizing mycoplasmas inhibit PHA-induced lymphocyte mitosis, while extracts of five glucose-utilizing mycoplasmas do not. Evidence is presented supporting the view that the inhibitory factor is the enzyme arginine deiminase. This enzyme inhibits the reactions of human lymphocytes to antigens as well as PHA, and the secondary production of antibody by rabbit lymph node fragments in vitro. Addition of enzyme to the cells several days after the initial mitotic or antigenic stimulus reduces, but does not abolish, further cellular activity. The production of serum proteins by hepatoma cells is totally unaffected by the mycoplasmal extract. It is concluded that arginine is an essential amino acid for the small lymphocyte, but not for the transformed cell nor for a number of other cell types. Suggestive evidence has been obtained that other enzymes similarly affect lymphocyte reactions.
Article|
June 01 1969
STUDIES OF PPLO INFECTION : V. INHIBITION OF LYMPHOCYTE MITOSIS AND ANTIBODY FORMATION BY MYCOPLASMAL EXTRACTS
Michael S. Simberkoff,
Michael S. Simberkoff
From the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York 10016
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G. Jeanette Thorbecke,
G. Jeanette Thorbecke
From the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York 10016
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Lewis Thomas
Lewis Thomas
From the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York 10016
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Michael S. Simberkoff
From the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York 10016
G. Jeanette Thorbecke
From the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York 10016
Lewis Thomas
From the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York 10016
Received:
January 14 1969
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
Copyright © 1969 by The Rockefeller University Press
1969
J Exp Med (1969) 129 (6): 1163–1181.
Article history
Received:
January 14 1969
Citation
Michael S. Simberkoff, G. Jeanette Thorbecke, Lewis Thomas; STUDIES OF PPLO INFECTION : V. INHIBITION OF LYMPHOCYTE MITOSIS AND ANTIBODY FORMATION BY MYCOPLASMAL EXTRACTS . J Exp Med 1 June 1969; 129 (6): 1163–1181. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.129.6.1163
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