Interaction of human lymphocytes and viruses in vitro.

Interaction between phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated human lymphocytes and two DNA viruses (adenovirus type 5 and herpes simplex virus type 1) considered to be closely connected with lymphoid tissues has been studied. The fate of the same viruses was investigated also in non-stimulated separated lymphocytes for comparative purposes. To elicit this interaction infectivity titrations, immunofluorescent technique and electron microscopy were used. The production of viral antigens was investigated by complement fixation. It has been shown that in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes from peripheral blood of healthy donors adenovirus type 5 is capable to replicate in its infectious form. Prolongation of the interval between stimulation and infection of cells significantly influenced the dynamics of replication. Non-stimulated lymphocytes produced antigens but no infectious particles.

Investigation of the nature of Australia antigen. I: The absence of biological activity of Australia antigen in human blood leukocyte culture.

Purified and concentrated preparations of Australia antigen had no stimulating effect on leukocytes of human subjects under study when tested either on DNA-polymerase activity, 3H-thymidine uptake or chromosomal alterations. Moreover, in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver no correlation between antigenemia and chromosome aberrations in blood leukocyte cultures could be detected. On the other hand, a serum obtained from a virus hepatitis patient with Australia antigen in the blood was found to stimulate leukocyte cultures from one patient with Down's syndrome and antigenemia, one mentally retarded patient and three normal donors. This stimulating agent is obviously not associated with Australia antigen.