Effects of BM 12,531 (azimexon) on in vitro lymphocyte and macrophage proliferation.

BM 12,531 (azimexon) is an experimental immunomodulating agent which augments cellular immune responses in vivo. This study indicates that BM 12,531, while not directly mitogenic for human peripheral blood lymphocytes nor guinea pig peritoneal macrophages, potentiates the proliferative effects of phytohemagglutinin and a lymphokine, respectively. The optimal effects (0.001--0.01 microgram/ml) are somewhat greater in magnitude than those of levamisole. Unlike levamisole, BM 12,531 has no effect on cyclic 3',5' GMP levels or on guanylate cyclase activity of lymphocytes. The data suggest that both the thymus-derived lymphocyte and the monocyte-derived macrophage are cell targets of BM 12,531 action at concentrations achievable in vivo.