[Studies on the mechanism of action of D-penicillamine (DPA) on human lymphocytes (author's transl)].

From in vitro investigations we have evidence that the inhibition by D-penicillamine (DPA) of lymphocyte transformation is caused by an inhibitory effect on the cell membrane. This inhibition is reversible by washing the lymphocytes. Our results were confirmed by kinetic studies in lymphocyte cultures, using mitogens and DPA. The amount of DPA-molecules bound to lymphocytes was determined with about 2.5 x 10(6) molecules/lymphocyte.