title: Induction of immunoglobulin-secreting cells by 2-mercaptoethanol in in vitro culture of B cells from autoimmune mice.
abstract: Splenic B cells from older MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/1) and male BXSB mice responded to 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) in in vitro culture and generated immunoglobulin-secreting cells (IgSC). Optimal concentration of 2-ME to induce IgSC was 5 X 10(-5) M. Kinetic studies revealed that the generation of IgSC was already apparent after 24 hr of culture and peak response was attained on the 2nd day. The response of B cells to 2 ME was enhanced in the presence of splenic T cells. Irradiation of B cells reduced the generation of IgSC. The B cell population of autoimmune mice responding to 2-ME to generate IgSC seems to be in a terminal stage of differentiation. This increased B cell differentiation was characteristic of autoimmune mice and assumed to have some significance in the development of autoimmune diseases.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008623:Mercaptoethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008623:Mercaptoethanol