Enhancement of in vitro lymphocyte response by neuraminidase

In vitro blastogenic response of sensitized human lymphocytes to specific antigens was significantly enhanced by Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase treatment. No such enhancement was noted when the unsensitized lymphocytes were treated with this enzyme. An enhancement effect of neuraminidase on the lymphocyte response to concanavalin A or pokeweed mitogen (weak mitogens) was also noted; the enzyme had no effect on phytohaemagglutinin (strong mitogen)-induced blasto-genesis. The increased reactivity of lymphocytes is probably related to changed physical and functional properties of the cells after treatment with neuraminidase.