B-Cell Activating Properties of Polymyxin B

1365-3083

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Polymyxins are known to be inhibitors of certain polyclonal B cell activators such as lipopolysac-charide and dextransulphate. However, increased specific responses to hapten-coupled mitogens have been reported after the addition of polymyxins to superoptimal conjugate doses. In this paper we have studied the effect of polymyxin B on superoptimal polyclonal doses of lipoporysaccharide. Results similar to those reported for hapten-lipopolysaccharide conjugates were obtained. Polymyxin B was also found to exert adjuvant properties for a primary immune response to sheep erythrocytes and to be a thymus-independent antigen.

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