Modulation of PHA-induced T colony formation by phorbol myristic acetate.

PMA (10 ng/ml), induced a four-fold increase in PHA-induced T colony formation by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). At lower (0.1-1 ng/ml) and higher concentrations (100-1,000 ng/ml), PMA had an inhibitory effect. The potent co-mitogen effect observed at 10 ng/ml PMA was associated with a strong increase in T colony promoting activity (TCPA) released by PHA stimulated PBL cultured in the presence of PMA (10 ng/ml). PMA at all concentrations exerted an inhibitory effect on T colony formation when PBL were cultured in the presence of PHA and an optimal concentration of exogenous TCPA. PMA was also capable of assuming the essential role played by monocytes in T colony formation. Thus, PMA can fulfil both co-mitogen and monocyte like roles in T colony formation. These activities closely resemble those previously described for interleukin 2 (IL2) production.