title: Interleukin-6 production by murine B cells and B cell lines.
abstract: We have analyzed interleukin (IL)-6 gene transcription and IL-6 secretion by murine B cells in vitro. Mitogenic doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS in combination with F(ab')2 goat anti-mouse IgM antibodies (GAMmu), but not GAMmu alone, induced B cells to synthesize and release IL-6. In time course experiments, the accumulation of IL-6 mRNA was first detectable at 24-36 hr of culture and the levels were maintained through 60 hr; these kinetics correlated well with increases in supernatant IL-6 levels and were coincident with vigorous cell cycle activity. We also analyzed constitutive and LPS-induced IL-6 gene expression by the murine B cell lines: 70Z/3, 38C-13, WEHI-231, X16C, WEHI-279, and BCL1. Only the WEHI-279 and BCL1 lines produced detectable IL-6 constitutively, and the BCL1 cells could be further induced by treatment with LPS. Of the remaining cell lines, only WEHI-231 and X16C could be stimulated with LPS to produce IL-6. To evaluate whether IL-6 could influence proliferation and Ig secretion by the cell lines, low cell density cultures were established in the presence of various doses of human rIL-6 and were assessed over time for levels of [3H]thymidine uptake and supernatant Ig. Under these conditions, IL-6 had no effect on either cell function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California 92037.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McEvilly
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Cardenas
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Noonan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL
chemical_list: D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides