Effects of colchicine and vinblastine on the phytohaemagglutinin-induced transformation of lymphocytes

The effects of 2 microtubular-disruptive drugs, colchicine and vinblastine, on the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced blast transformation and mitogenic stimulation of human lymphocytes were studied. Both drugs markedly inhibited cell growth and DNA synthesis and lowered the mitotic index. No microtubules were seen with the electron microscope in cells treated with PHA plus colchicine or vinblastine. Moreover, the PHA-induced development of all organelles was partially inhibited by these drugs, especially that of the Golgi complex. As compared to cells treated with PHA alone, the dictyosomes were fewer, not so clearly localized in one area of the cytoplasm, and contained a decreased number of cisternae and an increased number of vacuoles. These results indicate that cytoplasmic microtubules play an important role in the PHA-induced blast transformation and mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes. It is suggested that the microtubules function in the structural organization of the cell and particularly the Golgi complex. In the drug-induced absence of microtubules this and other organelle systems do not respond as usual to PHA stimulation, which could largely explain the decreased cell growth. This in turn suggests that lowered mitotic activity is a result of inhibition of cell growth, as a critical amount of G1-associated cell growth is believed to be required for the initiation of DNA synthesis and thus mitosis.