title: Epstein-Barr virus transformed B lymphocytes produce interleukin-5.
abstract: Interleukin-5 (IL-5) has previously been isolated only as a product of T lymphocytes. We have found that Epstein-Barr virus transformed B lymphocytes produce large amounts of IL-5 activity in culture supernatants, inducing proliferation of murine BCL1 cells, and supporting the selective growth of eosinophil colonies in semi-solid culture. Production of IL-5 messenger RNA by transformed B-cell lines was verified by Northern analysis using a 3.2-kilobase cloned DNA fragment containing the full-length human IL-5 gene, and immunoreactive IL-5 was detected in B-cell culture supernatants. These findings suggest a possible expanded role for the B cell in the induction of eosinophilia, and should serve as a focus for additional investigation into possible roles for IL-5 in human B-cell proliferation and differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, OH.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Armpriester
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Baumann
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015848:Interleukin-5; D012333:RNA, Messenger