An in vivo model for the experimental selection and pharmacological study of drugs able to modulate polyclonal activation of B lymphocytes.
Cellular and humoral parameters of the polyclonal stimulation of lymphocytes induced by a single injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide were determined in 6-11 week-old C57B1/6 mice at various periods of time. The study of cellular parameters on day 5 in 8-10 week-old mice appears to be suitable to quantify the induced polyclonal stimulation. Cyclophosphamide was shown to inhibit it, particularly when the drug was given the day or one day after the injection of lipopolysaccharide, and a dose dependent effect was observed. This model may be useful for the selection, and the immunopharmacological study, of drugs able to modulate a polyclonal stimulation of B lymphocytes.