title: Differentiation by interleukin 2 of a subpopulation of human B cells.
abstract: We demonstrate here that purified recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) induces a sizeable population of highly purified spleen B cells, by both negative and positive (cell-sorting) selection to differentiate polyclonally into plasma cells. This effect is seen at concentrations of IL-2 that are optimal for T-cell growth (1-5 U/ml) and is inhibitable by anti-Tac monoclonal antibody. In contrast, peripheral blood B cells show no or minimal terminal differentiation. When spleen B cells were separated into small and large cells, only the latter responded to IL-2; since this state of activation is achieved in vivo, these data support the possibility that IL-2 may be a physiological mediator in B-cell differentiation.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000166:cytology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D008934:Mitogens; D011994:Recombinant Proteins