FIG. 4

Heparin reverses enhancement of TNF synthesis

Human mononuclear cells (2.5 Mio/ml) were stimulated with 10 ng/ml LPS for 20 hr. The influence of increasing concentrations of heparin on the enhancement of TNF production by phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (5 µM ODN 7cm) was tested. At a concentration above 25 IE/ml heparin reverses enhanced TNF synthesis to the level of the control with LPS alone. Reversal by heparin suggests displacement of oligonucleotides from the binding sites that mediate enhanced TNF synthesis. Influence of heparin on TNF measurement by the RIA was excluded.