Interleukin 5 is a differentiation factor for IgA B cells.
Interleukin 5 (IL5) stimulates murine B cells to IgA production in vitro. The present study examined the B cell target of IL5 activity, and asked whether IL5 acts as an isotype switch factor, a growth factor, or a differentiation factor on B cells that produce the IgA isotype. Lipopolysaccharide-activated surface IgM-positive, surface IgA-positive or surface IgA-negative B cell populations from spleen or Peyer's patches were stimulated with IL5, after which the expression of cell surface IgA, IgA secretion, and numbers of IgA-secreting cells were determined. IL5 increased the IgA response by acting on B cells that are already committed to IgA expression. Thus, with regard to the IgA response, IL5 acts as a differentiation factor, rather than a growth or IgA isotype switch factor.
Schoenbeck
S
S
Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego 92093.
McKenzie
D T
DT
Kagnoff
M F
MF
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015847:Interleukin-4; D015848:Interleukin-5; D007378:Interleukins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000276:immunology; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000502:physiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D015848:Interleukin-5; D007378:Interleukins; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D015847:Interleukin-4