OCTREOTIDE INHIBITS IN-VITRO B-CELL DIFFERENTIATION TO PLASMA-CELL INDUCED BY PWM

Human leukocytes produce and are able to respond to some hormones. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of octreotide (a synthe tic analogue of somatostatin) on B-cell differentation to plasma cells . Cells were obtained from peripheral blood of normal subjects (n = 7) by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient. Octreotide was used in concentrations bet ween 0 and 100 ng/ml. Plasma cells were determined as hemolysis plaque forming cells and also by immunoflurescence after 7 day-culture of mo nonuclear cells with and without PWM. Octreotide produced a dose-depen dent decrease (congruent to 60%) in B-cell differentiation induced by PWM. This effect began with 10 ng/ml. These results show that octreoti de is able to regulate the function of B cells.