title: Role of epidermal cell thymocyte-activating factor in the proliferation and differentiation of murine B cells.
abstract: The role of antigen nonspecific cytokines in T- and B-lymphocyte responses is now well established. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been shown to augment B-cell maturation and proliferation. While the major source of IL-1 is from monocytes or macrophages, other cell types have been shown to produce IL-1-like cytokines. Epidermal cells produce a cytokine termed "epidermal cell-derived thymocyte-activating factor" (ETAF) which is similar if not identical with monocyte-derived IL-1. In this report we show that ETAF induces polyclonal stimulation of murine B cells. We show that ETAF augments B cell proliferation and differentiation in the absence of any added antigens or mitogens. This activity can be partially inhibited by anti-IL-1 antibodies. ETAF appears to activate B cells directly, although its activity is increased in the presence of T cells. Thus, ETAF may be involved in local polyclonal antibody responses occurring in the skin.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gauldie
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Sauder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D016207:Cytokines; D004817:Epidermis / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides