Macrophage Activation by a Series of Unique Polnanionic Polymers

Abstract

Polyanionic polymers with differing molecular weight, lipophilicity, and charge density were synthesized and their ability to nonspecifically “activate” macrophages was avaluated. The level of activation of test polymer-elicited macrophages was monitored by their nonspecific tumoricidal capacity and ectoenzyme profiles. In addition, the ability of test polymers to inhibit growth of Lewis lung in vivo was evaluated. We have determined that the activation of macrophages by test polymers differs from that of the conventional activating agents pyran and Clostridium parvum.