Characterization of a neoplastic B cell clone that secretes IgM in response to Th2-derived lymphokines.
Recent advances of T cell cloning have allowed the classification of T helper cells in terms of the lymphokines they secrete. The functional significance of segregating lymphokine production to unique T cell subsets is still being evaluated, but undoubtedly plays a key role in the regulatory mechanisms of the immune system. Initial studies have indicated that the Th1 cells which secrete IL-2 and IFN-gamma may be primarily responsible for augmenting cell-mediated responses, whereas Th2 cells, which release IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6, provide help for humoral responses. However, it is also known that B cells can respond to both IL-2 and IFN-gamma. This raises the question of the homogeneity of B lymphocyte activation requirements. Are all B cells responsive to all of the lymphokines with the end-result of stimulation depending largely on the relative concentrations of the various lymphokines, or are there B cell subsets which only respond to Th1-derived lymphokines and others which respond to Th2-derived lymphokines? Such differential activation requirements might be present to allow these subsets to play unique roles in immunological responses. Since B cell cloning techniques have not yet been developed to obtain a homogenous B cell population for studies of activation requirements, regulation of lymphokine receptors, and regulation of gene expression, we must utilize lymphokine-responsive neoplastic B cells. The vast majority of spontaneous B cell lymphomas appear to belong to a minor B cell subset which expresses the Ly1 marker. This subset is clearly not representative of the majority of splenic B cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Brooks
K H
KH
Department of Microbiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1101.
Oakley
C S
CS
Takayasu
H
H
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism*; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008806:Mice, Inbred AKR; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000502:physiology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008222:Lymphokines; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2