The effect of radiation on T cell modulation of Ig synthesis by human B cells in vitro.

PWM-induced in vitro Ig synthesis was measured in cell cultures containing B lymphocytes from healthy controls and T lymphocytes collected from breast cancer patients before and after radiotherapy, respectively. The amounts of IgG and IgM did not differ between these two types of cultures. Lymphoid cell suspensions containing 3-5% monocytes were irradiated with 13 Gy and co-cultured with non-irradiated B lymphocytes. The PWM induced production of IgG and IgM in these cultures was decreased as compared to non-irradiated controls.