Murine B-cell stimulatory factor 1 (interleukin 4) increases expression of the Fc receptor for IgE on mouse B cells.
We have studied the activity of mouse B-cell stimulatory factor 1 (interleukin 4, IL-4) on resting splenic B cells and on a B-cell hybridoma. Purified T-cell-derived as well as recombinant IL-4 was shown to increase the expression of the low-affinity Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon R) on a majority of B lymphocytes in a 24-hr culture period. Levels of Fc epsilon R expression increased 2- to 3-fold on splenic B cells and up to 6-fold on a B-cell hybridoma. The effect was inhibited by an anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody and by mouse gamma-interferon. Other recombinant lymphokines exhibited no effect on either Fc epsilon R expression or the induction by IL-4. The presence of IgE during the stimulation with IL-4 resulted in an additional increase in Fc epsilon R expression. These data and results showing that IgE prevents Fc epsilon R turnover while IL-4 increases the rate of Fc epsilon R synthesis suggest that the mechanisms by which IgE and IL-4 increase Fc epsilon R expression are likely to be different. The starting population of splenic B cells expressed low levels of Fc epsilon R and was relatively uniform in size (small). After greater than 48 hr of culture with IL-4, viable B cells had not undergone DNA synthesis and consisted mainly of larger highly Fc epsilon R-positive cells (23%) and medium-sized Fc epsilon R-positive cells (60%). A possible role for Fc epsilon R in certain B-cell maturation pathways is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000276:immunology; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D006133:Growth Substances; D008222:Lymphokines; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma