High Lymphocyte Transformation with Non-haemolytic Streptococcal Product

Abstract

A VARIETY of antigenic substances can induce generally low percentages of transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from specifically sensitive donors into large blast-like cells capable of division. Phytohaemagglutinin, pokeweed extract, streptolysin S, staphylococcal filtrate and antilymphocyte serum are capable of inducing generally higher percentages of transformation in the lymphocytes of all normal subjects, apparently irrespective of previous sensitization (reviewed in ref. 1). Streptolysin S, a haemolytic streptococcal toxin, is of interest because it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever2 and lysosome-mediated tissue damage3. We report here the induction of a high percentage of transformation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes cultured in vitro with a non-haemolytic streptococcal product.