Expression of the IL-6 gene induces differentiation of a human monoclonal EBV-transformed B cell line.
To study the role of interleukin (IL)-6 as a growth and differentiation factor for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B lymphocytes, we transfected the cDNA coding for human IL-6 in a monoclonal IgG1-secreting EBV B cell line. Two independent clones were selected that constitutively secreted high amounts of IL-6. These clones showed enhanced levels of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion when compared to non-IL-6 transfected controls. Moreover, they could efficiently be recovered from low cell density cultures in limiting dilutions when plated on a feeder layer of heterologous EBV B cells. IL-6-induced phenotypical changes comprised a significant rise in immunoglobulin secretion levels and enhanced membrane expression of CD25 (the beta chain of the IL-2 receptor) and of the B cell differentiation antigen CD40. IL-6-dependent down modulation of CD38 and of the adhesion structure VLA4 were also observed. Our data support the notion that IL-6 can serve as an growth and differentiation factor for EBV B cells.
Department of Clinical (Viro-)Immunology, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam.
G J
GJ
Jochems
R J
RJ
Bende
M R
MR
Klein
W P
WP
Zeijlemaker
R A
RA
van Lier
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015870:Gene Expression; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6