Macrophage-dependence of mitogen responsiveness: Macrophages exposed to zymosan enhance the response to polyanions

Abstract

We have previously shown that the two polyanions, dextran-sulfate, and sodium poly-anethole sulfonate are macrophage-dependent polyclonal B cell activators. In order to further characterize this macrophage-dependence, we have studied the effect of zymosan, a yeast component known to activate phagocytosis, on mitogen induced responses. The proliferative response induced by the three polyanions dextran-sulfate, sodium polyanethole sulfonate and pentosan-sulfate was enhanced by the addition of zymosan, an effect which was dependent on the presence of macrophages. The interaction between zymosan and a large number of other mitogens and zymosan was also tested and no synergistic responses were recorded using these ligands.