IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS IN MICE OF POLYINOSINIC-POLYCYTIDYLIC ACID COMPLEXED WITH POLY-L-LYSINE AND CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 45  (3) , 1058-1065
Abstract
The immunomodulatory characteristics of poly(I,C)-LC, a synthetic, double-stranded nucleic acid polymer, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, that is complexed with poly-L-Lys and solubilized by the addition of carboxymethylcellulose were described. Both in vitro and in vivo, stimulation of macrophage cytotoxicity and augmentation of natural killer-cell activity by poly(I,C)-LC was observed. This immunomodulator also increased the allogeneic mixed-lymphocyte response, without any blastogenic effect on responder cells cultured in the absence of allogeneic stimulator cells. Further, the addition of poly(I,C)-LC to an allogeneic mixed-lymphocyte tumor reaction did not stimulate the development of cytotoxic effector T-cells. Poly(I,C)-LC did, however, have adjuvant activity when admixed with irradiated tumor cells in the immunization of syngeneic mice. Unlike classic adjuvants, poly(I,C)-LC also enhanced the development of specific cytotoxic t-lymphocytes when it was injected either i.v. or i.p. in conjunction with a vaccine delivered at an intradermal site. Poly(I,C)-LC has considerable potential as an immunotherapeutic agent, with the ability not only to induce macrophage and NK cell activation but also to stimulate specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes.