Human lymphocyte potassium content during the initiation of phytohemagglutinin-induced mitogenesis

✍ Scribed by George B. Segel; Marshall A. Lichtman; Marsha M. Hollander; Bruce R. Gordon; Martin R. Klemperer

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1976
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 436 KB
• Volume: 88
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-9541
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.1040880106

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The K^+^ content of human lymphocytes has been examined during the initial 24 hours after exposure of cells to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). We have reconfirmed that lymphocyte K^+^ exchanges rapidly for extracellular counterions during preparative washing if cells are exposed to PHA. By using a technique to measure cation content which does not require removal of cells from their culture medium, we have shown that K^+^ does not change for 24 hours following PHA treatment. Previous reports have demonstrated that an enhanced uptake of K^+^ occurs in lymphocytes treated with PHA. This increased uptake may be a compensatory change for an increased exodus, explaining the failure of K^+^ to change following lectin treatment.