Stimulating effect of mercuric chloride and nickel sulfate on DNA synthesis of thymocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes in children.

Mercuric chloride and, to a lower extent, nickel sulfate, stimulated DNA synthesis of both thymocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes. The metal allergens stimulated both cell types at a lower degree than lectinic mitogens (PHA, Con A and PWM) did. In peripheral blood lymphocytes the stimulation degree was higher than in thymocytes after addition of metal allergens as well as lectinic mitogens. The presence of serum seemed to have a protective and potentiating role regarding the effect of mercuric chloride and lectinic mitogens, the effect of nickel sulfate being mainly unchanged. With increasing age of the individuals, an increase in the stimulation degree with mercuric chloride and lectinic mitogens was indicated, while nickel sulfate gave a decrease.