title: Dextran sulfate-mediated enhancement of mitogen-induced B-cell proliferation.
abstract: We have studied lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proliferation of rat lymphocytes and have found that a serum-free tissue culture medium supports significant cell division. When the compound dextran sulfate (DxS), which itself is not mitogenic, is added to LPS-stimulated cultures, significant augmentation of proliferation results. DxS will significantly enhance anti-immunoglobulin-induced proliferation as well. An intact T-cell compartment is not required for DxS-mediated enhancement of LPS-induced cell division, in that lymphocytes derived from athymic rats proliferate and respond to the influence of DxS to the same degree as euthymic derived lymphocytes. A "DxS-free" supernatant from DxS-stimulated spleen cell cultures is able to substitute for DxS in all stimulatory activity. This supernatant possesses interleukin 1 (IL-1) activity. However, purified recombinant IL-1 does not cause enhanced proliferation when added to LPS-stimulated cultures as is seen with DxS or the "DxS-free" supernatant.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003470:Culture Media; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D003911:Dextrans / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007148:Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008934:Mitogens; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
chemical_list: D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D003470:Culture Media; D003911:Dextrans; D007148:Immunoglobulin mu-Chains; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008934:Mitogens; D016264:Dextran Sulfate