title: Human interleukin 7 is a B cell growth factor for activated B cells.
abstract: We investigated the capacity of human interleukin (IL)7 to induce proliferation of B cells. Purified tonsillar B cells were cultured in the presence of IL7 with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) or anti-mu beads as co-mitogens. IL7 supported a dose-dependent proliferation of anti-mu-activated B cells but did not significantly support proliferation of SAC-activated B cells. When B cells were separated on Percoll gradient into small (60%-80%) and large (50%-60%) B cells and then cultured with anti-mu beads, IL7 acted on both cell populations equally well. IL7 and BCGF (low molecular weight) were synergistic in their proliferative action on anti-mu-activated B cells in a 5-day culture. On the other hand, synergistic effect of IL7 on activated B cells was not evident in the presence of any other factor recombinant [(r)IL1 beta, rIL2, rIL3, rIL4, rIL5, rIL6, recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha, recombinant lymphotoxin, recombinant granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor and recombinant interferon-gamma] we tested. IL7 did not induce IgG secretion by activated B cells.
authors.affiliation: Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, New Orleans, LA 70121.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000378:metabolism; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015851:Interleukin-7; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D015847:Interleukin-4