Immunopotentiating activities of polysaccharide fraction from pine seed shell extract

The function of polysaccharide (PSE) extracted from pine seed shells as a immunopotentiator was investigated. The phagocytosis and chemotaxis of mouse peritoneal macrophages (MP) were augmented by oral administration of PSE. The incorporation of 3H-thymidine by Con A-stimulated mouse splenic cells was significantly intensified by administration of PSE but the adherent-cells (MP)-eliminated splenic lymphocytes was not increased. It is shown that the existence of activated MP is needed for the activation (proliferation) of T lymphocytes. The responsiveness of mouse T cells to alloantigen was also augmented by administration of PSE. The number of anti-SRBC plaque-forming cells in the spleen of mouse and chicken was also significantly increased. The results indicate that MP are first activated by oral administration of PSE and that the activation of T cells is then initiated indirectly by humoral factors (cytokines) produced by activated MP.