• Mitogens are non-specific stimulants of immune cells.
• Mitogen stimulation leads to immune cell activation and is used as a measure of general immune function. Common mitogens include phytohemagglutinin (PHA), phorbol-myristic-acid-calcium ionophore (PMA), pokeweed mitogen, and others.
• Some mitogens have more pronounced effects on some immune cells than others. For example, T-cells are strongly activated by PMA, while B-cells are strongly activated by pokeweed mitogens.
• Mitogen-stimulated immune responses serve as a positive control reaction in tests to measure antiviral immune cell function.
• Healthy immune cells respond to stimulation with mitogens.
• However, immune cells that respond to mitogens may not respond to other antigens.
• Early during viral infections, immune cells fail to respond to the virus but may continue to respond to mitogens.
• During immune deficiency, immune cells may fail to respond to viral antigens and mitogens.
• Most individuals are exposed to common viruses during their lifetimes.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are two such common viruses.
• The PlexCMV and PlexEBV assay measure T-cell immune responses to the CMV and EBV viruses.
• Both tests also measure T-cell immune cell response to mitogens, simultaneously.
• Selective loss of T-cell response to either virus is more common during infection with the corresponding virus.
• Global loss of T-cell response to common viruses and mitogens is more often seen with immune deficiency.

• To order tests or clarify questions, please reach us via email info@plexision.com or call us at +1 (855) 753-9474.

Early during viral infections, immune cells fail to respond to the virus, but may continue to respond to mitogens. Mitogen-stimulated immune responses serve as a positive control reaction in tests to measure antiviral immune cell function.