부산대학교 도서관

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal donors, pre-cultured at 37°C for 24 hr before the addition of mitogen, demonstrated an enhanced proliferative response. This may be due to the loss of a subpopulation of suppressor cells during the incubation period. Still further enhancement was observed when pre-culturing was prolonged for 48 hr, while cells pre-incubated at 4° C showed no increased responsiveness. Concanavalin A (Con A) pre-activated PBMC suppressed the mitogen response of responder cells. More marked suppression was observed when the concentration of Con A used to induce the suppressor cells was increased. It was not possible to activate suppressor function in cells which bad been kept in vitro for longer than 48 hr. These findings support the concept of the existence and function of suppressor cells, and that the suppressive influence is short-lived in in vitro culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]