Enhancement of Production of IgM and Interferon-β in Human Cell Lines by Poly-lysine

Abstract

The promotive effects of poly-cations on immunoglobulin production was investigated using human hybridoma cells. Among poly-cations tested, ε-poly-L-lysine with hydrochloride (approximately 4kDa), which has been used as an antibacterial food additive, had the greatest activity in enhancing IgM production of human-human hybridoma HB4C5 cells without stimulating cell proliferation. Immunoglobulin production stimulatory (IPS) activity of ε-poly-lysine was not affected by trypsin digestion. It was stable below 60°C but completely inactivated with heating at 1000°C for 30min. ε-Poly-lysine also enhanced interferon-β(IFN-β) production of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, but this stimulatory effect was reduced by the trypsin digestion.