Iron-containing proteins augment responses of human lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweek mitogen in serum-free medium.

The effects of various iron-containing compounds on the responses of human peripheral lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were studied in serum-free medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin. Hemoglobin, transferrin and ferritin enhanced the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA after PHA-stimulation of lymphocytes, while hemin, iron metal powder, ferrous sulfate, chromium powder, and zinc sulfate have little effect. The response to PWM, measured by plaque formation, was enhanced only by transferrin. Desferrioxamine, a chelating agent specific for ferric iron, completely removed these augmentative effects. The results indicate that iron-containing proteins influenced the responses of lymphocytes to stimulation by PHA and PWM in serum-free medium.