[Kinetic study of human lymphocytes transformation in culture by lectin from Pisum sativum (author's transl)].

Some vegetable extract have haemagglutinating activity and are able to transform lymphocytes in culture. The comparative activities of lectin from Pisum sativum and other lectins already used (phytohaere shown. This lectin can be isolated in a highly purified form which is described. Purification of the human blood lymphocytes is obtained through nylon columns and measurement of transformation and proliferation by means of 3 H thymidine incorporation. Normal lymphocyte stimulation can be obtained within a range of concentrations of stimulants can be obtained within a range of concentrations of stimulants and the curves with PHA or lectin from Pisum show a peak of blastogenic activity. The activity of lectin from Pisum sativum was studied in this way on blood cultures of 8 chronic lymphocytic leukaemias and 5 immunodeficient patients. It appeared that lectin from Pisum and PHA have the same activity. The response of human peripheral lymphocytes to various mitogenic agents in vitro does not point out the proliferative abnormal cell and may not be used to detect different populations of human lymphocytes.