[Cells-boosters as the modulators of immunogenesis]

In the course of mouse immune response to ram erythrocytes, cells capable of enhancing immune and proliferative response (enhancing cells, or EC) are shown to appear in the spleen. The EC effect is antigen-unspecific. Cycloheximide (CH), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, speeds up EC development, which is associated with a greater immune response. In vitro CH treatment of mouse spleen cells (SC), for 3 hours at 37 degrees C, CH taken in a concentration of 1-3 micrograms/ml, resulted in in vitro induction of EC, capable of enhancing proliferative response to PHA and recombinant IL-2 in normal SC and increasing immune response to ram erythrocytes. Glutaric aldehyde fixation of EC was not reflected in their immunostimulating activity, either in vivo, or in vitro. The data obtained point to the significance of CH-induced changes in membrane-associated structures in mediating EC effect. It is assumed that the agents, altering the expression of functionally-significant structures (membrane-linked mediators and auxiliary intercellular interaction molecules) on cell surface, may be used for extracorporeal treatment of lymphoid cells to be eventually re-introduced into the body to control immunologic disorders.