DIVEMA derivatives cytotoxicity

Do DIVEMA derivatives stimulate macrophages in vitro, i.e. do they induce the release of lytic enzymes or cytotoxic factors ... 

Figure 2. Supernatant-mediated cytotoxicity caused by DIVEMA derivative (3b in Table II) (three independent runs).

The compounds tested showed mitogenic effects,i.e. they stimulated lymphocyte proliferation. Astonishingly, a DIVEMA-DNP conjugate did not induce the production of DNP-specific antibodies. Our results suggest that this is due to the formation of DNP-specific active suppressor cells. Using serum free culture media, we could show for the first time that DIVEMA and derivatives stimulate macrophages to release cytotoxic factors into the supernatant. However, no significant release of lytic enzymes was detected. 

DIVEMA and the derivatives tested failed to stimulate endocytosis by macrophages of iZ5I-PVP and 198/ u (colloidal) higher mol. wt. DIVEMA inhibited pinocytosis. We conclude that the only effect of the compounds tested on macrophages is the release of cytotoxic factors into the supernatant. 

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