Growth of B Cell Colonies Independent of T Cells: A New Perspective

Abstract

Growth of human peripheral blood B cells in a B cell colony assay system is a useful technique to study the function of B cell biology. In the initial reports, T and B cells were admixed in the culture system, prior to which the T cells were treated with mitomycin or irradiation to prevent their proliferation. There were reports that optimal growth of B cell colonies required T cells to be in contact with the B cells. However, we were able to grow B cell colonies physically separated from T cells which were placed on a filter. We speculated then that T cells contacted B cells via pseudopods through the pores of the filter. We now report the growth of B cell colonies independent of T cells and conclude that B cell colony growth depends upon a critical number of B cells plated rather than on T cell help.