The Use of β-Cyclodextrin-Containing Culture Medium for In Vitro Evaluation of Immunomodulating Agents

Abstract

Abstract--We have devised a new culture medium that is made of RPMI-1640 medium, 500 ag/ml (3-cyclodextrin ((3-CD) and 1% fetal calf serum (FCS) (13-CD medium). Murine lymphocytes stimulated with sheep erythrocytes in vitro de veloped antibody-forming cells in (3-CD medium as efficiently as in 10% FCS containing RPMI-1 640 medium (1 OF medium). Immunostimulating agents (SA96 and levamisole) and immunosuppressive agents (hydrocortisone and D-penicilla mine) showed similar immunomodulating effects on the antibody responses in both media. In addition, the enhancing effect of levamisole varied drastically depending on the lot of FCS used in 1OF medium, but a clear enhancement was always observed in /3-CD medium containing any lot of FCS tested.