PMID: 6975142Jan 1, 1981Paper

Growth of human normal and leukemic T cells: T-cell growth factor (TCGF) and the isolation of a new class of RNA tumor viruses (HTLV)

Blood Cells
R C Gallo

Abstract

A system for routine long-term growth of human mature T-lymphocytes in liquid suspension culture was developed in our laboratory about 5 years ago. This system involves the continuous use of a factor, termed T-cell growth factor (TCGF) for the propagation of T-lymphocytes previously activated by lectin (PHA or Con A) or by antigen. Normal human T cells do not respond to TCGF unless they are first activated to become blast cells by antigen or lectin, presumably because they do not contain TCGF receptors until activated. We think then that TCGF is the physiological growth promoter in the immune response of T-lymphocytes, acting as the second signal (after antigen) in the immune response. These T cells show functional features, e.g., cytotoxic or helper function and other evidence of maturity. By using purified TCGF free of PHA and of lymphokines other than TCGF, we have recently been able to grow routinely neoplastic T cells from patients with leukemias and lymphomas of mature T cells, e.g., from patients with the Sezary syndrome and those with mycosis fungoides (cutaneous T-cell leukemias and lymphomas). Of considerable interest, the neoplastic T cells respond directly to TCGF; unlike normal T Cells they do not require prior in ...Continue Reading

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