Effects of Pokeweed Mitogen, Cholera Toxin and Prostaglandin E₁ on Immunoglobulin Production and Cyclic AMP Levels in Tonsillar Lymphocytes

Abstract

Lymphocytes from human tonsils and adenoids and three compounds – pokeweed mitogen (PWM), cholera toxin and prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) – were used to study the relationship of immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis and secretion and intra-cellular levels of cyclic 3′5′-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). PWM-stimulated lymphocytes synthesized and secreted increased amounts of both IgG and IgA during 120 h of culture, but cAMP levels were not increased during 60 min incubation with PWM. However, both cholera toxin and PGEt significantly increased cAMP levels within 60 min, but did not increase IgG or IgA formation during 72 or 120 h of culture.