The effect of azathioprine on terminal differentiation of human B lymphocytes.

The effect of azathioprine on the terminal differentiation of human B cells triggered in vitro by pokeweed mitogen and S. aureus Cowan I bacteria was studied. AZ caused an enhancement of Ig synthesis in its lower concentrations, a phenomenon dependent on the inactivation of suppressor T cells. Higher drug concentrations impaired T-helper function as well as B cell differentiation of peripheral blood, lymph node, and spleen lymphocytes.