title: In vitro activation of leukaemic B cells by interleukin-4 and antibodies to CD40.
abstract: Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) B cells have the phenotype of mature, partially activated B cells, but are relatively resistant to stimulation through cell-surface receptors with agents such as antibodies to immunoglobulin M. In the present study we have shown that culture of CLL cells with interleukin-4 (IL-4) and antibodies to CD40 caused significant DNA synthesis as assessed by incorporation of thymidine. This effect was largely mediated by antibody binding to CD40, a molecule known to induce B-cell activation and to mediate survival signals to germinal centre B cells. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of CLL cells stimulated with IL-4 and anti-CD40 did not affect the state of differentiation of the cell, augment the proliferative capacity, prolong cell survival or cause virus-driven immortalization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U.K.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Catovsky
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D002455:Cell Division; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000276:immunology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D015847:Interleukin-4; D004247:DNA; D013936:Thymidine