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closeOvernight resting allows lymphocyte recovery from preparative stress
Posted by forsdyke on 31 Aug 2014 at 18:54 GMT
While it is correct, as the authors point out, that 'possible mechanisms how overnight resting could affect T-cell immune responses have not yet been investigated in detail,' their view that this merely allows elimination of apoptotic cells seems unlikely. Methods to prepare cells for in vitro culture subject them to considerable stress from which they can recover. Such stress, judging by assays of transcriptional responses, may well simulate aspects of the initial T-cell response to peptide-MHC complexes. Transcription, as indicated by early (1 h) labelling with radioactive uridine, is usually high in freshly cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells and it has been long known that this response to lectin is best observed after leaving the cells to 'rest' overnight. Indeed, Baechler et al. (2004) reported that 'hundreds of genes are sensitive to ex vivo handling of blood.' Similar results were documented by Heximer et al. (1997).
Baechler EC. et al. (2004) Expression levels of many genes in human peripheral blood cells are highly sensitive to ex vivo incubation. "Genes & Immunity" 5, 347-353.
Heximer SP, Cristillo AD, Forsdyke DR (1997) Comparison of mRNA expression of two regulators of G-protein signaling, RGS1/BL34/IR20 and RGS2/G0S8, in cultured human blood mononuclear cells. "DNA Cell Biology" 16, 589-598.