title: Macrophages are required for the dextran-sulfate induced activation of B lymphocytes.
abstract: The proliferative response induced by the B cell activating ligand dextran-sulfate (DxS) requires the presence of macrophage-produced factors or the macrophage-substituting compound 2-mercaptoethanol. Thus, the mechanism for activation of mouse B splenic lymphocytes is different for DxS than for other polyclonal B cell activators such as lipopolysaccharides, which can trigger B cells directely in the absence of the helper factors. It is suggested that the disappearance of the DxS-induced response could be studied in a simple functional tests for the efficiency of macrophage depletion obtained by different techniques.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003911:Dextrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D007501:Iron