Studies on the mechanism of action of Diketocoriolin B to enhance antibody formation.

Diketocoriolin B (DKC), at a very low dose (0.1 micrograms/mouse) or in a low concentration (0.01 ng/culture) augmented antibody formation to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in vivo and in vitro. The addition of DKC to spleen cell cultures 24 approximately 48 hours after the start of the culture showed the strongest effect. The stimulatory effect was not influenced by the elimination of macrophages. DKC also augmented antibody formation in T cell-depleted spleen cell cultures and in cultures of spleen cells of athymic mice. The treatment of spleen cells with DKC at 37 degrees C or 4 degrees C for 30 minutes before the start of the culture enhanced antibody formation to SRBC. both treatments of macrophage-rich and lymphocyte-rich cells with DKC enhanced antibody formation.