title: Transforming growth factor beta is an important immunomodulatory protein for human B lymphocytes.
abstract: The growth and differentiation of B cells to immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells is regulated by a variety of soluble factors. This study presents data that support a role for transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in this regulatory process. B lymphocytes were shown to have high-affinity receptors for TGF-beta that were increased fivefold to sixfold after in vitro activation. The addition of picogram quantities of TGF-beta to B cell cultures suppressed factor-dependent, interleukin 2 (IL 2) B cell proliferation and markedly suppressed factor-dependent (IL 2 or B cell differentiation factor) B cell Ig secretion. In contrast, the constitutive IgG production by an Epstein Barr virus-transformed B cell line was not modified by the presence of TGF-beta in culture. This cell line was found to lack high-affinity TGF-beta receptors. The degree of inhibition of B cell proliferation observed in in vitro cultures was found to be dependent not only on the concentration of TGF-beta added but also on the concentration of the growth stimulatory substance (IL 2) present. By increasing the IL 2 concentrations in culture, the inhibition of proliferation induced by TGF-beta could be partially overcome. In contrast, the inhibition of Ig secretion induced by TGF-beta could not be overcome by a higher concentration of stimulatory factor, demonstrating that the suppression of B cell differentiation by TGF-beta is not due solely to its effects on proliferation. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that B lymphocytes secrete TGF-beta. Unactivated tonsillar B cells had detectable amounts of TGF-beta mRNA on Northern blot analysis, and B cell activation with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan (SAC) resulted in a twofold to threefold increase in TGF-beta mRNA. Supernatants conditioned by unactivated B cells had small amounts of TGF-beta, SAC activation of the B cells resulted in a sixfold to sevenfold increase in the amount of TGF-beta present in the supernatants. Thus, B lymphocytes synthesize and secrete TGF-beta and express receptors for TGF-beta. The addition of exogenous TGF-beta to cultures of stimulated B cells inhibits subsequent proliferation and Ig secretion. TGF-beta may function as an autocrine growth inhibitor that limits B lymphocyte proliferation and ultimate differentiation.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010455:Peptides; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors