title: Evidence for effects of interleukin 4 (B cell stimulatory factor 1) on macrophages: enhancement of antigen presenting ability of bone marrow-derived macrophages.
abstract: We have studied the effects of recombinant mouse interleukin 4 (IL 4) (previously known as B cell stimulatory factor 1) on the antigen-presenting ability of murine splenic B cells and bone marrow macrophages. Our assay is based on the induction of antigen-presenting ability in these cells after incubation with IL 4 for 24 hr. The presenting cells were then used to stimulate IL 2 production by antigen-specific, I-Ad-restricted T cell hybridomas, a response mainly dependent on the induction of Ia antigens. Consistent with our previously published data using partially purified natural IL 4, we show here that recombinant IL 4 (but not interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or IL 1) induces antigen-presenting ability in B cells. Recombinant IL 4 was also found to induce antigen-presenting ability in a cloned, bone marrow derived-macrophage cell line (14M1.4), and in normal bone marrow-derived macrophages. These macrophage populations also respond to IFN-gamma showing enhanced antigen-presenting ability (mediated by increased Ia antigen expression). A small but significant increase in Ia antigen expression was also detected in 14M1.4 macrophages induced with IL 4. However, additional analysis suggested that the effect of IL 4 on 14M1.4 is different from that of IFN-gamma, because IL 4 (but not IFN-gamma) is able to maintain the viability and increase the size of and metabolic activity of bone marrow macrophages. However, IL 4 may not affect all macrophages because the macrophage cell line P388D1, which responds to IFN-gamma, failed to show enhanced antigen-presenting function after stimulation with IL 4. These observations indicate that IL 4, a lymphokine previously considered to be B cell lineage specific, has effects on macrophages and may be involved in their activation.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002460:Cell Line; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015847:Interleukin-4; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D008222:Lymphokines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4