Changes in the content of potassium, sodium and potassium influx in human peripheral blood lymphocytes during long-term cultivation with phytohemagglutinin

Intracellular potassium, sodium and potassium influx were examined in PHA-activated human lymphocytes within 6 days of cultivation. DNA flow cytometry was used to estimate the percentage of cells in G1, S and G2 + M phases. Potassium influx and content per g protein were found to be increased, whereas sodium content decreased with the progression of cells from G1 to S phases, being maximum on the 3rd day. Later on the percentage of cells in S phase was seen diminished, and the potassium content decreased just as sodium content increased. It is concluded that ionic changes may correlate with the entering of cells into S phase.