title: Characterization of murine interleukin B by a monoclonal antibody.
abstract: Interleukin B (IL-B), formerly termed BEF (B-cell-derived enhancing factor) or IL-B4, was originally described as a non-immunoglobulin regulatory factor spontaneously produced by B lymphocytes and B-cell lines that enhances the in vitro antigen-driven antibody response of unfractionated spleen cells stimulated by thymus-dependent antigens. Since then we have examined the function of interleukin B in a number of immune reactions, both in vitro and in vivo, and found that it inhibits the activation of suppressor T lymphocytes. We report here the production of two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that specifically inhibit interleukin B activity. The use of these mAb in the purification and characterization of IL-B is described. IL-B from both normal and transformed B cells consists of two subunits of similar size and amino-acid composition. The structure of interleukin B and its specific behaviour in biological assay distinguish it from many other known lymphokines.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008970:Molecular Weight; D051381:Rats; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007378:Interleukins; D015847:Interleukin-4