title: Interleukin-4 production by Fc epsilon R+ cells.
abstract: Among non-B, non-T cells in the spleen and among unfractionated bone marrow cells, there is a population of cells that are capable of producing IL-4 in response to cross-linkage of FC epsilon RI or Fc gamma RII. Their IL-4-producing capacity is strikingly enhanced by treatment of the cells or of the animals donating such cells with interleukin-3 (IL-3). Fc epsilon R+ cells constitute 1-2% of splenic non-B, non-T cells and of bone marrow cells from normal donors but they contain all the capacity to produce IL-4 in response to cross-linkage of Fc epsilon RI or Fc gamma RII or to treatment with ionomycin. Fc epsilon R- cells fail to make such responses. Electron-microscopic analysis indicates that virtually all the granulated or vacuolated Fc epsilon R+ cells are of the basophil lineage. However, it has not yet been resolved whether these cells or immature mast cells, presumably in the Fc epsilon R+ granule/vacuole-negative cell population, are the principal producers of IL-4 in response to these stimuli.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D002460:Cell Line; D002469:Cell Separation; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism*; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis*; D017455:Receptors, IgE
chemical_list: D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D007377:Interleukin-3; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E