Recombinant human interleukin 6 (B cell stimulatory factor 2) enhances immunoglobulin secretion by single murine hapten-specific B cells in the absence of cell division

International Immunology
M R Alderson, B L Pike

Abstract

We have assessed the role of recombinant human IL-6 (r-hu-IL-6) in promotion of early activation, proliferation, and immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion amongst single hapten-specific murine splenic B cells in vitro. It was found that r-hu-IL-6 acting alone was able to induce early B cell activation in a proportion of B cells, as measured by a significant increase in cell diameter within 24 h. An enhanced effect was seen in the concomitant presence of a 'T-independent' antigen. None of the B cells activated by r-hu-IL-6 appeared to divide, as the frequencies of proliferating clones induced by either medium alone or antigen alone were virtually identical whether r-hu-IL-6 was present or absent. However, assay of the culture supernatants for the presence of Ig by ELISA revealed that r-hu-IL-6 effected a significant 2-fold increase in the frequency of B cells secreting Ig. Thus, the prime effect of r-hu-IL-6 appears to be to recruit more precursor B cells into Ig secretion, rather than to promote proliferation or to enhance the amount of Ig secreted by pre-committed but non-cycling B cells. Delayed addition experiments showed that r-hu-IL-6 enhanced Ig secretion late in the activation pathway. Kinetics studies demonstrated detectable Ig...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 1, 1989·Progress in Growth Factor Research·T Hirano, T Kishimoto
Jul 1, 1993·Molecular and Cellular Biology·T D RandallR B Corley

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

B cell Activation

B cell activation is initiated by the ligation of the B cell receptor with antigen and ultimately results in the production of protective antibodies against potentially pathogenic invaders. Here is the latest research.