Role of the production of natural killer cell stimulatory factor (NKSF/IL-12) in the ability of B cell lines to stimulate T and NK cell proliferation.
We have previously used human Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines for the identification and purification of a novel cytokine, natural killer cell stimulatory factor (NKSF/IL-12), that has pleiotropic effects on human lymphocytes. B cell lines are also routinely employed as feeder cells for the culture of T and natural killer (NK) cells. In this report we describe the ability of two NKSF/IL-12 producing B cell lines (RPMI-8866 and Cess) and two nonproducing lines (Raji and Daudi) to stimulate the proliferation of T and NK cells in 8-day PBL cultures. We demonstrate, using an anti-NKSF/IL-12 neutralizing monoclonal antibody, that the endogenous production of NKSF/IL-12 in these cultures can significantly enhance the proliferation and cytotoxic activity of T and NK cells. We also report that the addition of exogenous rNKSF/IL-12 can greatly increase the number of T and NK cells obtained from the cultures following stimulation by the B cell lines. Aside from the possible practical applications, the enhanced proliferation of T and NK cells consistently observed in the presence of endogenously produced NKSF/IL-12 or exogenously added rNKSF/IL-12 in this system may further our understanding of the role of this cytokine during an in vivo immune response.
Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.
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Valiante
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Rengaraju
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Trinchieri
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D015240:Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate / Q000494:pharmacology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007378:Interleukins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015240:Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate