Enhancement of production of IgM and interferon-beta in human cell lines by poly-lysine.

The promotive effects of poly-cations on immunoglobulin production was investigated using human-human hybridoma cells. Among poly-cations tested, epsilon-poly-L-lysine with hydrochloride (approximately 4 kDa), 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 epsilon-poly-lysine was not affected by trypsin digestion. It was stable below 60 degrees C but completely inactivated with heating at 100 degrees C for 30 min. epsilon-Poly-lysine also enhanced interferon-beta (IFN-beta) production of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, but this stimulatory effect was reduced by the trypsin digestion.