Induction of proliferative responses of neonatal cord blood lymphocytes by costimulation of PMA and ionomycin and change of intracellular Ca~(2+) concentration

The prolipherative responses of both cord blood lymphocytes and the adult peripheral blood lymphocytes to anti-CD3 antibodies or PMA+IM were significantly increased, but the responses of cord blood lymphocytes to anti-CD3 antibodies was lower than those of the adult peripheral blood lymphocytes, and the responses of cord blood lymphocytes to PMA+IM were relatively close to those of the adult lymphocytes. The intracellular Ca~(2+) concentration also elevated in both cord blood and adult blood lymphocytes. Because PMA+IM costimulation can partially improve the proliferative deficiency of neonatal cord blood lymphocytes.