Inhibition of mitogenic stimulation of human lymphocytes by protease released membrane glycopeptides.

Mitogenic stimulation of human lymphocytes was induced by different means including non-lectin mitogens. Independent of the mean of stimulation the proliferation of lymphocytes was significantly inhibited by protease released lymphocyte surface glycopeptides (LySP). These surface peptides may have regulatory functions in cell proliferation and in the onset of the immune response in vivo. They offer a new tool for the elucidation of the triggering mechanism in mitogenic stimulation.