OKT4+ and OKT8+ T lymphocytes produce soluble factors that can modulate growth and differentiation of human B cells.
The human T cell subset(s) responsible for the production of soluble factors that can modulate B cell growth and B cell differentiation was investigated in the present study. For this purpose, highly purified OKT4+ and OKT8+ lymphocytes were stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin and phorbol myristate acetate. Subsequently, culture supernatants were analysed for B cell growth factor (BCGF) activity and B cell differentiation factor (BCDF) activity in the following systems: 1) maintenance of a proliferative state of Staphylococcus aureus of strain Cowan I (SAC)-stimulated B cells and 2) induction of plaque-forming cell responses of SAC-stimulated B cells. Mitogenic stimulation led to production of equivalent amounts of either BCGF activity or BCDF activity from both of the OKT4+ and OKT8+ subsets. These findings may provide a basis for further studies of the molecular mechanisms as well as cellular interactions involved in human B cell activation, proliferation and differentiation.
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006133:Growth Substances; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D015847:Interleukin-4; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate