Premature chromosome condensation: Conformational changes of chromatin associated with phytohemagglutinin stimulation of peripheral lymphocytes

Abstract

Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes were shown to be distinguishable from unstimulated lymphocytes by the technique of premature chromosome condensation (PCC). Greater than 70% of the PCC from lymphocytes stimulated by incubating with PHA for 18–22 h showed greatly extended PCC as compared with only 30% in the unstimulated cultures. This decondensation pattern of the PCC paralleled with the previously reported increase in the template activity of chromatin. The PCC method can be useful in determining the proliferative potential of bone marrows of leukemic patients during and after chemotherapy.