title: Neither interleukin 2 nor gamma interferon directly promote growth or differentiation of mouse B cells.
abstract: The roles of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) as direct mediators of B-cell growth and differentiation were analysed. Products of cloned genes were used in both cases. The use of flow cytometric assays coupled with density fractionation of responding splenic B-cell populations enabled both the characterization of B cells responding to various stimuli and the estimation of their frequency. B cells responding to non-IL-2 related lymphokines promoting growth and differentiation were restricted to low buoyant density fractions. In addition, these cells expressed densities of IL-2 receptor determinants comparable to those found on T cells, although, IL-2 did not support their growth or differentiation. The inability to demonstrate any direct effect of either IL-2 or IFN-gamma on B cells in any state of activation suggests that their physiological roles are mediated through additional cell types.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000502:physiology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D008222:Lymphokines; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma