Hello Ananya Chatterjee

PMA is a tumor promoter and can trigger a cascade of signaling events, including activation of protein kinase C and calcineurin, leading to T cell activation and proliferation. However, PMA can also induce senescence, a state of irreversible growth arrest, which can occur through cell cycle arrest and subsequent geroconversion (conversion of cell cycle arrest to senescence).

On the other hand, PHA is a potent T-cell activator that can induce IL-2 expression and cell cycle progression in Jurkat cells. But PHA can induce senescence in Jurkat cells when used in combination with PMA. This is because both PHA and PMA can activate different signaling pathways that lead to cell cycle arrest, which is a key factor in the development of senescence.

So, while PMA is known to induce cell cycle arrest and potentially senescence, and PHA is a potent T-cell activator that can induce IL-2 expression and cell cycle progression in Jurkat cells, the combination of both PHA and PMA can disrupt the delicate balance and lead to a senescence phenotype.

Try to avoid this combination.

Best,