title: Soluble mediators can replace helper T cells in the activation of resting B lymphocytes: evidence for a human B cell activating factor.
abstract: We were interested in studying the participation of T cell-derived soluble factors in the early steps of B cell activation. Thus supernatants containing such factors were obtained following activation of human T cell clones and their effects on isolated B cells investigated. These supernatants induced activation, blastogenesis and proliferation of purified resting human B cells. Our results strongly suggest the existence of a B cell Activating Factor (BCAF) of apparent molecular weight (m.w.) of 12,000-15,000 daltons which acts directly on resting B cells and replaces helper T cells in B cell activation.
authors.affiliation: Unité d'Immunogénétique Cellulaire, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Février
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gougeon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abadie
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thèze
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007378:Interleukins; D008222:Lymphokines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4