Cellular responsiveness in vitro: the effect of mycobacterial glycopeptides, glycolipids and peptidoglycolipids on the in vitro growth of haemopoietic colony-forming cells.

Incorporation of glycopeptide, glycolipid and peptidoglycolipid preparations from the culture fluid or organisms of a variety of mycobacterial species in suboptimally stimulated cultures of normal mouse bone marrow cells increased the responsiveness of colony-forming cells to colony-stimulating factor, as measured by enhanced colony formation. Possible mechanisms of action and the significance of enhanced colony growth in relation to the mode of action of mycobacterial adjuvants are discussed.