![Photo](blasta.gif)
- Blast transformation of lymphocytes by phytohemagglutinin (a
non-specific
mitogenic lectin) shows the same type of intra-cellular changes and
subsequent
development into lymphoblasts as those that occur in vivo to
primed
lymphocytes when they are re-introduced to the priming antigen.
- T-cell blasts are large cells with extended cytoplasm. Ultimately,
many B-cell
blasts mature into terminally differentiated plasma cells.
- Under the light microscope, following mitogenic stimulation, you
see an increase in
the number of these larger blast cells. Compare the two photographs
to see these
results.
- Notice that virtually all of the cells in the left photo are small
cells with
compact nuclei - none have undergone blastogenesis.
- Notice the increased number of large cells in the right photo -
cells that have
been stimulated into undergoing blastogenesis.
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