title: Spontaneous production of B cell growth factors by SLE lymphocytes.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus blood lymphocytes produce B cell growth factors (BCGF) spontaneously to an extent comparable with pokeweed mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes from normal donors. BCGF production by SLE lymphocytes is not increased by PWM and these cells are refractory to exogenous BCGF. Production requires B cells and irradiated T cells but not accessory cells. The properties of spontaneously synthesized BCGF differ in some respects from those induced by PWM. These findings suggest that the abnormal B cell proliferation characteristic of SLE may result, at least in part, from autostimulatory growth factors.
mesh_terms: D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007700:Kinetics; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008222:Lymphokines; D015847:Interleukin-4