The molecular cloning of interleukins 4, 5 and 6: multifunctional hemopoietic growth factors.
We summarize here our recent studies on the cloning and characterization of three lymphokines which are produced by activated T cells. Interleukins 4, 5 and 6 are involved in the regulation of B cell activation, proliferation and differentiation. IL-4 can activate resting B cells, while IL-5 stimulates the proliferation of activated B cells. Both of these factors also have a role in regulating the isotype of immunoglobulin produced by cultures of D cells. IL-6 appears to induce the differentiation of B cells to secrete high levels of immunoglobulin. In addition, each of these factors is involved in the regulation of other lineages of hemopoietic cells. Thus, T cells control multiple lineages of myeloid and lymphoid cells through the diverse actions of multiple lymphokines. IL-6 is exceptional because it is produced by a variety of cell types, and its action is not restricted to hemopoietic cells.
Lee
F
F
DNAX Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94304.
Yokota
T
T
Chiu
C P
CP
De Vries
J
J
Banchereau
J
J
Arai
N
N
Coffman
R
R
Rennick
D
D
Arai
K
K
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015847:Interleukin-4; D004247:DNA