Wheat germ agglutinin uptake by cytotoxic lymphocytes,a quantitative model of receptor-mediated endocytosis

Summary The binding and uptake of fluorescence labeled wheat germ agglutinin into cytotoxic T-cells was measured by single cell cytophotometric analysis. The intensity of fluorescence in these cells increased continuously over 24 hrs, indicating a permanent turnover of the ligands for WGA. Although the labeling of the cells was intense, no change in the proliferation rate of this interleukin-2 dependent cell line was observed. Therefore no interaction between the interleukin-2 receptor and other receptors regulating the cellular proliferation with the lectin is likely.Abbreviations au arbitary units - CTLL-1 murine cytotoxic interleukin-2 dependent cell line - FCS fetal calf serum - FITC fluoresceinisothiocyanate - HEPES hydroxyethylpiperazine-ethanesulfonic acid - MHC major histocompatibility complex - WGA wheat germ agglutinin