title: Low molecular weight B cell growth factor induces proliferation of human B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemias.
abstract: Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of low mol wt B cell growth factor (L-BCGF) on B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). L-BCGF induced a significant increase in 3H-TdR incorporation in 28 of 37 bone marrow aspirates from patients with B cell precursor ALL, with stimulation indices ranging from 2 to 129. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting confirmed that in five of seven patients the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA)/CD10 positive leukemic cells were responding directly to L-BCGF. L-BCGF was capable of inducing, in some patients, an increase in absolute viable cells and could also induce colony formation in vitro. The response of B cell precursor ALL was not attributable to beta IL 1, IL 2, or gamma interferon. These results indicate that the majority of B cell precursor ALL undergo a proliferative response to L-BCGF, suggesting a regulatory role for this lymphokine in the growth of B cell precursors.
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000473:pathology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D015260:Neprilysin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D006133:Growth Substances; D008222:Lymphokines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4; D015260:Neprilysin