title: High- and low-affinity receptors for murine interleukin 6. Distinct distribution on B and T cells.
abstract: The distribution of the murine receptor for interleukin (IL) 6 was examined on a variety of cells. Binding sites for IL 6 were found on many cell lines including fibroblasts and bone marrow-derived macrophages. The highest density of binding sites was found on B cell hybridomas and plasmacytomas, irrespective of their IL 6 dependence for growth. Scatchard analysis carried out with these cells identified about 1000 high-affinity sites (Kd = 25 pM) and 10,000 low-affinity sites (Kd = 2.5 nM). The binding was specific for IL 6 and led to the internalization of the ligand. Receptors for IL 6 were also present on other B cell lines, but binding on normal resting or activated B cells was below the limit of detection (less than 3 molecules/cell). In contrast, receptors were found on mature thymocytes and on peripheral T cells. However, unlike plasmacytomas and hybridomas, T cells expressed only high-affinity binding sites. The difference in the relative numbers of high- and low-affinity receptors on different cells suggests that IL 6 interacts with several proteins, the expression of which varies from one cell type to another.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Experimental Medicine, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Coulie
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Snick
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6